Protests in France: Multitudes rally against financial savings plans
In the heart of Europe, France is witnessing a wave of public demonstrations as hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets in opposition to potential austerity measures. The latest development comes after the appointment of Sébastien Lecornu as the new Prime Minister, who has announced he will not cancel the planned public holidays.
Sébastien Lecornu, a close ally of President Macron, took office in September 2025 following the loss of confidence in the previous government. The new Prime Minister is currently consulting on a new austerity budget plan, but details about where the cuts will be made are yet to be disclosed.
The proposed austerity measures, including the cancellation of two public holidays, have been met with fierce criticism. Trade unions argue that workers, retirees, the sick, and those in precarious situations would bear the brunt of the cuts. This criticism has sparked a nationwide strike, causing closures of pharmacies, absences of teachers, and disruptions in bus and train services.
The EU has also shown concern, having opened a deficit procedure against France as early as July 2024. With France having the third-highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU, at 114 percent, and the highest debt pile in the Eurozone, at around €3.3 trillion, the need for fiscal reform is undeniable.
The protests have been peaceful, with demonstrators aiming to put pressure on the new Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, through their demonstrations. Protesters briefly entered the courtyard of the Ministry of the Economy, and more than 180 people were arrested nationwide, with around 30 of them in Paris.
The broad coalition of trade unions, including the CGT, has called for the work stoppage. While the interior ministry reports around 500,000 people participating, the CGT union claims over a million people demonstrated. Regardless of the exact numbers, the protests represent a significant show of dissent against the potential austerity measures.
The protesters criticize the austerity plans of the previous government as brutal, and they are demanding a more equitable approach to fiscal reform. As the situation unfolds, the new French government faces a challenging task in balancing the need for fiscal discipline with the demands of its citizens.
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