The union launched a massive strike across France to protest the government’s proposal to cut budgets.
Thursday’s demonstrations were sparked by a government austerity program that has increased anger towards President Emmanuel Macron. The 47-year-old French leaders have seen his popularity fall to a new low amid the government’s crisis, which shows little indication of dissipation despite the appointment of Prime Minister Sebastian Lecorne last week.
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On Thursday, about six primary and secondary school teachers went out, with nine of the 10 pharmacies closing down as nine of the 10 pharmacies promised to be one of the biggest mobilisations since last year’s battle with pension reform.
The union said it was satisfied with the scale of the protest.
“We recorded 260 demonstrations across France,” CGT Union leader Sophie Vignette told AFP News. “Every workplace has thousands of strikes.”
Just before 4pm local time, the National Police reported 282,477 protesters except Paris, with 140 arrests made nationwide, Le Figaro reported.
Serious disruptions have been reported throughout the Parimetro system, with only three normal operating lines expected.
While most high speed trains are expected to provide continuous service, metro and suburban railway services face major delays. However, air traffic disruption should be limited after the controller postponed a planned strike until October.
Data from the state-controlled utility EDF showed that nuclear power was reduced by 1.1 gigawatts on Thursday morning as workers reduced production as part of industrial measures.
A huge existence
In anticipation of between 600,000 and 900,000 protesters across the country, authorities deployed a large number of police and said they fear violence against bystanders of the union’s march.
Le Figaro reported that by late afternoon, more than a million people had participated in protests across France.
Before 4:30pm local time, Le Figaro reported that around 70 people were trying to enter the Ministry of Culture and blocking three entrances to the building.
“They don’t want us to come in, so no one will enter the ministry,” the protesters cried, yelling to Minister Rachida Dati, “You’re done, culture is on the streets.”
Interior Minister Bruno Reciro warned of the “very strong” mobilization, explaining that the day was a “hybrid” event and mixed the approved demonstration with interference obstruction from the ultra-left and left group.
He said more than 80,000 police officers will be deployed, supported by drones, armored vehicles and water cannons.
In Marseille, where police in Paris used tear gas to disperse fraudulent demonstrations early Thursday, and police said they had encountered “hostile” demonstrators, an AFPTV reporter filmed officers kicking protesters on the ground.
In Lyon, a French television journalist and police officer were injured during a clash between police and a group of masked youths at a rally.
“Every day, the poor will become the richest and the poor will become poor,” said Bruno Cavalier, a 64-year-old protester reading a placard, in Lyon, France’s third largest city.
In the northern outskirts of Lille city, protesters took part in an early morning union-led action to block bus depots.
“The goal is to show the government that we are tired of being here, that we are tired of being taxed like crazy, that we are tired of struggling to achieve our goal,” said Samuel Guillard, a 58-year-old garbage truck driver.
Even school children joined the demonstration. Approximately 300 students blocked access to Maurice Lovell Secondary School in eastern Paris, some of which read “blocking schools against austerity.”
Former defense minister Lecorne, who took office as Macron’s seventh prime minister, has promised to chart a new course, but it failed to mitigate the hostility of workers.
The union is furious with a 44 billion euro ($52 billion) austerity plan drafted by Recorne’s predecessor François Beyloux. They are also skeptical of Recorne’s promise to abolish the lifelong privileges enjoyed by the Prime Minister and waive the proposal to cut down two public holidays.
The government argues that deep cuts are needed to reduce the French budget deficit. Last year’s deficit was nearly twice the European Union’s threshold of 3% of the European Union’s gross domestic product. However, Lecorne, who lacks a parliamentary majority, is facing a bruise to pass the 2026 budget.
“Our colleagues feel that they have not been fooled by the appointment of Sebastian Recorne,” added Sophie Benetti, general secretary of SNES-FSU, a leading union of middle and high school teachers, “has not settled down my anger.”
Vignette said Macron himself remains the biggest obstacle to reverse pension reforms. “() Obstacles of the Elysee Palace (is),” she declared.
Retirees who protested Thursday mourned Macron’s pension reforms.
“I’m here to end pension reform,” Florence, 85, told Le Figaro. “We had to get there. I worked until I was 60. I couldn’t work until I was 64.”
Thursday’s Day of Action marks Recorne’s first major test, but the real political calculations are turning Macron straight, facing his lowest approval rate, with power remaining 18 months.
“Now, workers are being so lightly spouted by this government and Macron that they can’t actually continue like this,” bus driver and union representative Fred said at a rally in front of a Paris high school where students are blocking.
