France witnessed another wave of nationwide unrest on Thursday as protesters filled the streets of more than 200 towns and cities, voicing anger over proposed austerity measures and demanding that the government shift the tax burden onto the wealthy.
In Paris, thousands of workers, retirees, and students gathered at Place d’Italie before marching through the capital. The action forced closures at major landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, which issued a statement that it would remain shut during the strike.
The protests, coordinated by France’s largest unions, followed weeks of demonstrations that began last month amid political uncertainty and budget negotiations. Union leaders have pressed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to abandon draft budget measures left by his predecessor. Those proposals include freezing social welfare programs that triggered arguments regarding the undermining of the purchasing power of lower- and middle-income households. At the same time, unions continue to demand higher taxes on the rich.
Lecornu, appointed only last month, has yet to reveal the full details of his budget or confirm his cabinet. His plans are expected in the coming days, with debate in France’s divided parliament scheduled before the end of the year. The new government faces the challenge of reconciling public discontent with fiscal pressure.
By midday Thursday, the French Interior Ministry reported around 85,000 demonstrators outside Paris, a smaller turnout than last month’s large-scale actions. Over 500,000 protesters were reported by the police nationwide on September 18, and unions reported that over a million people had joined. During the “Block Everything” campaign, the earlier wave of mobilizations saw streets filled with smoke, barricades set alight, and clashes.
Thursday’s strike was less disruptive. The national rail company SNCF confirmed high-speed trains were operating normally, though regional services experienced partial interruptions. Paris metro lines were running with minimal disruption, although some commuter trains reported reduced frequency. Teachers and healthcare staff also took part, but the overall numbers appeared lower compared to September’s peak.
Sophie Binet, head of the CTG union, said the fact that there had been three major protests in a single month, even before the government presented its budget, underscored the scale of public frustration. She explained that the timing of the strikes reflected the unions’ desire to influence decisions before they became official.
