Hundreds of thousands of workers took to the streets across France on Thursday in one of the largest coordinated strike actions recently. Major trade unions called the protest day to oppose planned budget cuts and demand more investment in public services.
Turnout estimates varied widely. The organisers claimed that one million people joined the demonstrations, while the interior ministry placed the number at 500,000. Authorities deployed 80,000 police officers nationwide. In Lyon and Nantes, minor conflicts broke out between protesters and security forces. After some demonstrators damaged property, officers in riot gear used tear gas, leading to the detention of more than 300 people.
The strike disrupted daily life across the country. In the capital, metro services were severely reduced, with many lines closed. Roads and city centres in several regions were blocked. A third of the teachers joined the walkout, and around 98% of pharmacies remained closed. Students also gathered before schools and universities, coordinating sit-ins and blocking entrances.
The protest movement follows the fall of François Bayrou’s government, which collapsed last week after losing a confidence vote over the €44 billion savings plan. His successor, Sébastien Lecornu, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, has not fully abandoned those proposals. Lecornu faces the immediate challenge of crafting a budget that can pass through a divided parliament while addressing both public discontent and investor concerns about public debt, now equivalent to nearly €50,000 per citizen.
Union leaders stressed that the demonstrations were a show of strength intended to pressure the government. Sophie Binet, head of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), told crowds that “The anger is immense, and so is the determination.” Opposition figures, including Jean-Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed, urged demonstrators to remain disciplined to avoid undermining their cause.
The task ahead of the government remains precarious. Lecornu is yet to assemble his ministerial team while opening talks with opposition parties. His challenge mirrors that of his predecessors, Michel Barnier and François Bayrou, who both faced forced resignations due to similar fiscal disputes.
