Hundreds of Thousands Protest Across France Against Economic Policies and Austerity Budget

Hundreds of thousands of workers, students, teachers, and pensioners participated in nationwide strikes and marches across France on Thursday to protest government economic policies and proposed spending cuts.

The Interior Ministry estimated turnout at approximately 575,000 to 600,000 demonstrators across 193 events, while the CGT union asserted that nearly 1.6 million people took part. The demonstrations caused widespread disruption to transportation networks, schools, and universities, with the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe closing for the day. Authorities deployed 70,000 police and security personnel, who used tear gas and acoustic weapons in cities including Paris and Lyon, where a vehicle was set ablaze.

National figures reported 448 people detained and 53 police officers injured. The mobilization followed the National Assembly's unanimous rejection of the 2027 budget bill. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu scheduled meetings with trade union and business leaders for Monday to address the deepening crisis.