Hundreds of thousands of workers are expected to take part in strike action across France on Thursday, after trade unions called for a day of protests against budget cuts. The interior ministry said between 600,000 and 900,000 people could attend demonstrations nationwide, adding it would deploy 80,000 police officers. The strikes come barely a week after Sébastien Lecornu, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, was appointed prime minister following the toppling of François Bayrou's government.
Public transport was heavily disrupted on Thursday morning, with many metro lines in Paris reported shut, while protesters blocked roads and streets in major cities across France. Students gathered in front of schools and universities in the capital and beyond, blocking entrances and chanting slogans. Around a third of teachers walked out. Pharmacists are also adhering to strike action in droves, with 98% of pharmacies expected to stay closed.
Unions have called for more spending on public services, higher taxes on the wealthy, and for the budget cuts outlined by the short-lived Bayrou government to be axed. Sophie Binet, the leader of one of France's major trade union groups, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), stressed the necessity of their presence to push back against policies that benefit only the wealthy.
Bruno Retailleau, the outgoing interior minister, reported that 58 people had been arrested across France by mid-morning, emphasizing a firm stance on any disturbances. Jean-Luc Mélenchon from the radical left party France Unbowed cautioned participants against violence, urging them to maintain discipline during the protests.
Concerns were raised over the potential for violent actions, reflecting growing tensions ahead of the protests, especially in Paris, where businesses were advised to close for the day.
The backdrop of these strikes is significant as about 200,000 individuals participated in protests organized by the grassroots movement 'Let's Block Everything' just last week, opposing the unpopular budget proposals aiming to slash €44 billion in spending to address France's public debt.
New Prime Minister Lecornu is now navigating a precarious political landscape, facing a hung parliament with competing interests making budget approval challenging, all while the nation grapples with increasing public debt that approaches €50,000 per citizen.
Public transport was heavily disrupted on Thursday morning, with many metro lines in Paris reported shut, while protesters blocked roads and streets in major cities across France. Students gathered in front of schools and universities in the capital and beyond, blocking entrances and chanting slogans. Around a third of teachers walked out. Pharmacists are also adhering to strike action in droves, with 98% of pharmacies expected to stay closed.
Unions have called for more spending on public services, higher taxes on the wealthy, and for the budget cuts outlined by the short-lived Bayrou government to be axed. Sophie Binet, the leader of one of France's major trade union groups, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), stressed the necessity of their presence to push back against policies that benefit only the wealthy.
Bruno Retailleau, the outgoing interior minister, reported that 58 people had been arrested across France by mid-morning, emphasizing a firm stance on any disturbances. Jean-Luc Mélenchon from the radical left party France Unbowed cautioned participants against violence, urging them to maintain discipline during the protests.
Concerns were raised over the potential for violent actions, reflecting growing tensions ahead of the protests, especially in Paris, where businesses were advised to close for the day.
The backdrop of these strikes is significant as about 200,000 individuals participated in protests organized by the grassroots movement 'Let's Block Everything' just last week, opposing the unpopular budget proposals aiming to slash €44 billion in spending to address France's public debt.
New Prime Minister Lecornu is now navigating a precarious political landscape, facing a hung parliament with competing interests making budget approval challenging, all while the nation grapples with increasing public debt that approaches €50,000 per citizen.
