France faces intense anti-austerity protests, with unions urging a reconsideration of the current budget plan
In the heart of France, a wave of demonstrations has swept across the nation, marking the largest union-led protests since the weeks of mobilisation in 2023 against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms. These protests, taking place in cities nationwide, have seen participation from various sectors, including teachers, train drivers, pharmacists, hospital staff, and even teenagers.
The demonstrations have been met with a significant police presence. Over 80,000 police and gendarmes, including riot units, drones, and armored vehicles, have been deployed throughout the day. Despite this, clashes have been reported on the margins of protest rallies in cities like Nantes and Lyon, with police firing tear gas and injuries reported in Lyon. More than 90 people have already been arrested on various sites during the protests.
Fred, a bus driver and union representative, expressed the sentiment shared by many workers, stating that they feel despised by the government and President Macron. Marylise Leon, the head of the CFDT union, echoed this sentiment, saying that Thursday's protests were a clear warning to Sebastien Lecornu, France's latest prime minister, and that they want a socially fair budget.
The interior ministry is yet to give its estimate of the number of protesters, but an Interior Ministry source had earlier predicted that approximately 800,000 people would participate in the strikes and protests. Sophie Binet, the head of the CGT union, claimed that 400,000 people took part in morning rallies across France.
The ongoing social unrest in France is fueled by plans to cut billions of euros in public spending and reduce public sector benefits, leading to major mobilizations by broad union coalitions and public blockades disrupting transportation and daily life. Protesters are calling for the previous government's fiscal plans to be scrapped, for more spending on public services, higher taxes on the wealthy, and for the reversal of an unpopular change making people work longer to get a pension.
France's budget deficit last year was nearly double the EU's 3% ceiling, and Lecornu's predecessor, Francois Bayrou, was ousted by parliament over his plan for a 44 billion euro budget squeeze. This puts pressure on Macron and Lecornu from protesters, left-wing parties opposed to budget cuts, as well as from investors concerned about the deficit in the euro zone's second largest economy.
Parliament is deeply divided and none of its three main groups have a majority. Protesters gathered to slow down traffic on a highway near the southeastern city of Toulon, adding to the disruptions caused by the strikes.
As the day progresses, the interior ministry is expected to release its estimate of the number of protesters. The future of France's pension reforms and its economy remains uncertain, as the protests continue to echo the sentiments of the French workforce.
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