Throngs of citizens take to the streets in mass demonstrations, voicing their discontent against the government's fiscal belt-tightening measures.
France Witnesses Nationwide Protests Against Austerity Plans
France experienced a day of widespread demonstrations on Thursday, as over a million people took to the streets across the country to voice their discontent with the government's austerity plans. The protests, called for by several unions, saw tens of thousands of people in Paris, Lyon, and other cities, according to the CGT union.
The demonstrations were sparked by the austerity plans of former Prime Minister François Bayrou, who aimed to save 44 billion euros, including by abolishing two public holidays. This move, among other measures, has been met with widespread opposition, leading to the large-scale protests.
The new Prime Minister of France, Sébastien Lecornu, who took his oath today, is expected to complete the formation of his government only after consulting political forces in the National Assembly to reach agreements on the budget and decisions for the coming months. Lecornu, the former Defense Minister and close ally of President Macron, is currently consulting with party representatives to find a budget compromise for the heavily indebted country.
The protests were not without incident. Minor clashes were reported on the fringes of the demonstrations throughout the afternoon, with masked protesters throwing bottles and objects at security forces in Paris. In Lyon, several people were injured in clashes between masked protesters and security forces, including a journalist. Nationwide, 11 security personnel and 11 others were injured, and by evening, 181 people had been arrested, according to authorities.
The Paris police prefect called on shop owners to close their businesses, and the government advised employees to stay at home if possible. The French rail network was also affected by the strikes, with about half of all regional trains canceled on Thursday.
France is currently in debt with about 114 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), with a deficit of 5.8 percent of GDP last year. The rating agency Fitch downgraded France's creditworthiness last week, adding to the public's anger towards President Emmanuel Macron, who has plummeted in the polls.
Despite the challenges, many groups in France, including in Alsace, expressed their anger against the political situation today. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau initially stated that the protests were "less bad than expected." However, the government's austerity plans continue to face strong opposition, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming days and weeks.
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