ALBAWABA- Tens of thousands of people marched across France on Thursday in a wave of strikes and demonstrations against planned austerity measures and sweeping public spending cuts.
More than 200 rallies were reported in cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lyon, with major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower forced to close as staff walked off the job.
The protests disrupted schools, hospitals, transport, and public services, as teachers, healthcare workers, and other employees joined the action.
Organizers from the CGT and CFDT unions demanded the scrapping of proposed €60 billion cuts for the 2026 budget, new taxes on the wealthy, and greater investment in social services.
The CGT union estimated turnout at 600,000 nationwide, while the Interior Ministry put the figure at 195,000.
Though largely peaceful, isolated clashes in Paris prompted police to fire tear gas. Union leaders warned that the cuts would worsen inequality, while the government insists they are vital to reduce a €300 billion public debt and a deficit projected at 6.1% of GDP.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, appointed in July after snap elections, has defended the measures as necessary to stabilize finances and avoid EU sanctions.
President Emmanuel Macron, already facing his lowest approval ratings with just 18 months left in office, is struggling to contain mounting unrest, following last year’s bitter pension reform battle that raised the retirement age to 64.
“We do not know what will happen. But we know that this turmoil is there,” leftist leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon told demonstrators in Paris. “Which way will it erupt?”
