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), said: We need to be out in force, that's how we gather strength to keep fighting... to force the government and the employers to put an end to policies that only serve the richest.
Bruno Retailleau, the outgoing interior minister, noted that 58 people had been arrested across France by mid-morning. He warned that authorities would act decisively against any disruption related to the strikes. Prime Minister Lecornu, dealing with a hung parliament, is attempting to navigate a complex political landscape as public debt continues to spiral.
This strike follows previous protests, underscoring the discontent surrounding budgetary policies that many view as detrimental to public welfare. As the protests unfold, the future of France's budgetary strategy remains uncertain, highlighting a clash of interests between economic austerity and social spending.
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), said: We need to be out in force, that's how we gather strength to keep fighting... to force the government and the employers to put an end to policies that only serve the richest.
Bruno Retailleau, the outgoing interior minister, noted that 58 people had been arrested across France by mid-morning. He warned that authorities would act decisively against any disruption related to the strikes. Prime Minister Lecornu, dealing with a hung parliament, is attempting to navigate a complex political landscape as public debt continues to spiral.
This strike follows previous protests, underscoring the discontent surrounding budgetary policies that many view as detrimental to public welfare. As the protests unfold, the future of France's budgetary strategy remains uncertain, highlighting a clash of interests between economic austerity and social spending.
