PARIS, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Protesters, estimated at 1.12 million to 3 million strong, turned out across France Tuesday to oppose the Sarkozy administration's pension reform plans.

Union organizers said there were 213 separate protests across the country with 2.5 million to 3 million people taking part, Radio France International reported. However, the Interior Ministry said the total was closer to 1.12 million.

Similar protests in June brought out 2 million people.

The CGT trade union confederation said the largest turnout was in Paris, where it estimated 270,000 people rallied. The union leaders said about 200,000 marched in Marseille and as many as 100,000 took part in Bordeaux.

Many public employees walked off the job as well, RFI said, including about one-quarter of all civil services, nearly 30 percent of teachers and about 43 percent of transport workers.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon told Parliament Tuesday the pension reform is necessary.

"By proposing 1/8a minimum retirement age of3/8 62, the government has made a choice that is both reasonable and essential to cover the cost of France's pensions," Fillon said, adding he was "open to debate so long as we don't lose sight of the objective of reform."

RFI said an Ifop poll released Tuesday indicates a majority of the French public supports the protests.