France faces strikes and mass protests over living costs

Summarised from 9 outlets · 13 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 12:44 · Archive

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to march across France on Thursday as trade unions call a nationwide strike in response to rising living costs and wage stagnation. The action brings together workers from hospitals, air traffic control, rail services, postal services and schools, both public and private. Authorities expect between 500,000 and 700,000 people to join demonstrations outside Paris, with tens of thousands more in the capital itself. Around 260 separate rallies are planned across the country.

The strike follows weeks of escalating unrest that began in September when high school students protested over poor teaching conditions, overcrowded classes and dilapidated school buildings. Those demonstrations have since broadened into a wider movement encompassing the cost of living, inadequate public services and concerns about inequality. University students have also joined blockades at some faculties. The Education Ministry expects 16 to 17.5 per cent of teachers to strike.

The unions are demanding an increase in the minimum wage, which currently stands at €12.31 per hour, higher salaries across the board, tax reforms and better investment in education. France's four main rail unions said the government's proposed budget cuts would "worsen poverty, slash social security, freeze state workers' salaries and dry up investment needed for environmental measures". The unions warned in a joint statement that "anger is immense" and that France faces recession with multiplying layoff plans, whilst "fuel, food products, rent, gas, electricity - everything's going up except wages and pensions".

The government is struggling to pass a belt-tightening budget in a divided parliament as public debt approaches 120 per cent of economic output. President Emmanuel Macron convened a defence and security meeting on Wednesday ahead of the protests. Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told a press conference: "We are extremely vigilant because it is out of the question to relive October 17." Interior Minister Laurent Nunez promised "an extremely firm response" to any "acts of violence" or disorder.

Authorities have deployed approximately 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide. In some cities including Paris, Lyon and Marseille, courts have restricted approved protest routes. In Lyon, more than 25,000 people gathered on Thursday morning, but clashes erupted when around 500 demonstrators threw projectiles and set pallets alight. Police responded with tear gas after the march had travelled only 600 metres, resulting in six arrests. In Paris, the planned march was scheduled to follow a court-approved route from République to Nation after authorities rejected the unions' preferred route from Bastille to Concorde. Twenty-five metro stations were closed and around 80 schools shut in the capital.

The unrest comes five months before a presidential election in April 2027. Polls suggest Marine Le Pen, the far-right, anti-immigration candidate, is currently leading in predictions for the election. Macron is unable to run again due to a two-term limit.

How it is being reported

• France faces new protests as government seeks to prevent violenceFrance faces new protests as the government seeks to prevent a repeat of October unrest. Protesters demand better public services, including education, and also critique the cost-of-living. FRANCE 24's Claire Paccalin reports from the ground.France 24 · 5 Nov, 14:19
• France: Up to 55,000 march in Lyon amid clashes and tear gasTens of thousands marched through Lyon area during a nationwide strike over wages and purchasing power. Police charged demonstrators and used tear gas as clashes erupted along the protest route.Euronews · 5 Nov, 14:08
• Workers strike across France, hundreds of thousands expected to protestDemonstrators are demanding an increase in the minimum wage and higher salaries for all workers, among other reforms.Al Jazeera · 5 Nov, 12:21
• France: Workers and students unite in nationwide protests over living costsThousands of people are taking part in nationwide strikes and demonstrations across France, demanding higher wages and stronger public services. Authorities have imposed restrictions on protest routes in Paris, Lyon and at least half a dozen major cities.Euronews · 5 Nov, 11:55
• Fresh protests in France as unions issue stark cost-of-living warningTrade unions are joining forces for nationwide strikes and demonstrations for higher wages as well as in support of the high school protest movement, with hundreds of thousands due to turn outThe Mirror · 5 Nov, 11:52
• Students blockade schools, universities as France braces for mass ralliesStudents blockaded dozens of high schools and universities across France on Tuesday to maintain pressure on the government over education reforms, as trade unions prepared for a nationwide strike. The school protests have fuelled a broader movement against soaring prices and inadequate public services, which has drawn hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets over the past three weekends. FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali reports from a high school blockaded by students in Aubervilliers, near Paris.France 24 · 5 Nov, 10:24
• France gears up for strikes and protests as unions promise national mobilisationFive of France's unions have joined a wave of strikes and protests in a national day of action.BBC News · 5 Nov, 09:34
• France braces for fresh protests as unions strike over higher wagesUnions representing the education sector, rail employees, public hospitals and postal services called the strike. Authorities have deployed some 70,000 police and security officers across the country.DW News · 5 Nov, 09:19
• France descends further into chaos with half a million taking to the streets today as unions join student protests in latest challenge to MacronHundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to march through French cities and public workers to strike on Thursday, in a fresh test for President Emmanuel Macron.Daily Mail · 5 Nov, 08:37
• France braces for fresh protests in test for Macron's policiesHundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to march through French cities and public workers to strike on Thursday, in a fresh test for President Emmanuel Macron after weeks of unrest that have rattled his government and dominated the agenda five months ahead of a presidential election.France 24 · 5 Nov, 06:24
• Live: France braces for nationwide strikes in fresh test for Macron’s policiesStrikes and demonstrations are planned across France on Thursday, with trade unions urging the government to support households struggling with rising living costs. The nationwide action follows weeks of social unrest. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.France 24 · 5 Nov, 05:53
• France faces fresh protest wave with budget impasse deepeningMore than half a million people took part in marches across France in mid-October, with violence and looting disrupting demonstrations.The Japan Times · 5 Nov, 05:40
• Protesters to join nationwide march as France braces for day of strike actionHospital workers, air traffic and rail staff expected to join strikes amid renewed protests over education and rising living costs Hundreds of thousands are expected to march in demonstrations across France as trade unions call for a nationwide strike expected to extend to hospital workers, air traffic control, the post office, teachers and rail staff. President Emmanuel Macron’s final months in office continue to be marred by domestic crises, as high school students protesting over poor teaching conditions have been joined by workers in weekly protests over the cost of living. Meanwhile…The Guardian · 5 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Emmanuel Macron · Marine Le Pen · Laurent Nunez · France · Paris · Lyon · Marseille · CGT

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