French protesters brandish stolen portraits of Emmanuel Macron as nationwide strikes continue

Protesters have brandished stolen portraits of Emmanuel Macron as a massive strike-and-protest movement continues to rage across France.

Climate activists stole more than 130 posters of the French president from town halls across the country, marching with them in Paris on Sunday.

A wave of rallies have taken root across France as campaigners accuse Mr Macron of bowing to big business instead of fighting climate change.

It comes amid an unprecedented mass strike that has ground the country to a halt after a controversial new government retirement scheme sparked fury.

The portraits, seized from town halls nationwide, were carried upside down in an attempt to illustrate Mr Macron’s alleged hypocrisy over the planet.

The activists held 100 portraits to mark 100 days until France's municipal elections to replace mayors in town halls across the country, and some held banners reading: "Local elections - D-day minus 100, let's reveal Macron's real face."

Activists are facing trials around the country for theft, with some acquitted and some fined.

Pauline Boyer, from eco group ANV COP21, accused Mr Macron of “us[ing] doublespeak, by presenting himself as a climate champion while he is not enforcing a true policy in France that could tackle the environment challenge”.

France lags behind its European neighbours in green measures including solar and wind energy and emissions targets, prompting environmental groups to push for bold action from French officials at the United Nations’ COP25 climate summit underway in Madrid.

Macron has stood up to US president Donald Trump on the need for countries and corporations to cooperate to cut emissions, but backed down on a fuel tax last year designed to help wean France off fossil fuels, after violent yellow vest protests against economic injustice broke out.

It is the latest bout of unrest to hit Mr Macron, as thousands of yellow vest French workers finish their fourth consecutive day of walk outs over pension changes.

Mr Macron says the reform, which will streamline a convoluted system of 42 special pension plans, will make the national pension system more fair and financially sustainable, but protesters say it will mean the official retirement age of 62 rises.

Severe travel disruption has seen planes grounded, shops and schools shut, trains taken off the rails and Eurostar services cancelled. British travellers are facing delays on Air France, Easyjet and British Airways flights.

Projectiles and tear gas have been hurled in scuffles between protesters and riot police.

Unions are calling for even more people to walk off the job Monday, when commuters go back to work, with no end date in sight.