Massive demonstrations against the government's economic austerity measures attract tens of thousands of participants
France Faces Mass Protests and Disruptions
France experienced a wave of protests on Thursday, with approximately 55,000 people marching in Paris alone, according to the interior ministry. The demonstrations, which were directed against the government's austerity plans, disrupted the French railway system, closed schools, and caused traffic congestions across the country.
The French railway system faced significant disruptions, with about half of all regional trains canceled on Thursday. In Lille, protesters temporarily blocked a bus depot, and in Paris, most metro lines only operated for a few hours during rush hour. Traffic disruptions occurred, but were not completely blocked, according to Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot.
Around two dozen high schools were blocked by protesting students, and about 17% of teachers went on strike, according to the education ministry, with the teachers' union reporting 45% participation. The Paris University Tolbiac was closed after initial clashes during the protests.
The participation in the protests on Thursday was significantly larger than at a protest day last week. More than 500,000 people, including around 55,000 in Paris, participated in the protests, according to the interior ministry. Around 80,000 police were deployed to prevent escalation, equipped with water cannons and numerous drones. Over 180 people were arrested during the French protests.
The Paris police prefect called on shop owners to close their businesses, and the government advised employees to work remotely if possible. The new Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne's, government composition has not been specified, and she plans to continue maintaining the weekend celebration events.
The rating agency Fitch downgraded France's creditworthiness last week, and the country is currently heavily indebted with about 114 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), with a deficit of 5.8 percent of GDP last year. Lecornu, the new prime minister, is currently negotiating with party representatives to find a budget compromise for the heavily indebted country.
Lecornu met with representatives of the left-green and right-wing populist opposition on Wednesday, but no compromise has emerged in the negotiations. Marylise Léon, head of the CFDT union, participated in the Paris demonstration and called for a budget that stands for tax, social, and ecological justice. Bruno Cavelier, a 64-year-old from Lyon, voiced concerns about the worsening situation since the Yellow Vest protest movement in 2019.
Several unions called for the protests against the government's austerity plans, and many groups in France, including in Alsace, want to express their anger against the political situation today. Smaller clashes occurred at the edges of the demonstrations throughout the afternoon. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau initially found the protests to be "less bad than expected."
Lecornu has announced certain restrictions on privileges for former prime ministers. The new government is not expected to be presented until the end of next week, after Macron's return from the United Nations General Debate in New York. Samuel Gaillard, a garbage truck driver, expressed dissatisfaction with paying high taxes.
Fears in the government camp are that the protests could develop into a longer-lasting movement, mainly directed against Macron. Many protesters voiced their anger and frustration with the political situation in France, calling for change and a more equitable society. The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear how the French government will respond to the ongoing protests and disruptions.
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