Mass French Protests: Multitudes Rally Against Saving Strategies
France: Hundreds of Thousands Protest Against Potential Austerity Measures
In a significant turn of events, France has witnessed nationwide protests against potential austerity measures, putting pressure on the new Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu. The demonstrations, which saw an estimated 500,000 participants according to the interior ministry, were met with criticism from a broad alliance of trade unions, who believe the proposed measures would disproportionately affect workers, retirees, the sick, and people in precarious situations.
The protests, which began in the morning with blockades in various parts of the country, including bus depots, traffic axes, and secondary schools, reached a peak when protesters briefly entered the courtyard of the Ministry of Economy. The proposal to abolish two public holidays was particularly criticized by the trade unions.
The exact nature of the proposed austerity measures in France is not specified in the text, but it is known that France's state spending ranks among the highest in Europe and France has the third-highest debt ratio in the EU, with around €3.3 trillion in debt, the highest in the Eurozone. The last budget deficit in France was 5.8%.
Sébastien Lecornu, in a statement on the X platform, acknowledged the concerns of trade union representatives, stating that the demands will be the focus of talks he has initiated. He also announced that he will not implement the proposed austerity plan.
The EU has already opened a deficit procedure against France in July 2024, adding to the pressure on the new Prime Minister. The CGT union claimed more than a million protesters took part, a figure higher than the initial estimates of around 700,000 to 800,000 participants.
Many businesses and services were disrupted due to the protests, including pharmacies, schools, buses, and trains. Nationwide, 309 people were arrested, with 134 still in police custody.
In the upcoming talks with the new French Prime Minister, a broad alliance of trade unions will participate, representing the groups that have called for strikes and protests against the government's austerity plans. The protests in France are a clear indication of the public's opposition to potential austerity measures and a call for a more equitable approach to fiscal policy.
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