Mass Protests Erupt Across France Against Austerity Plans

Hundreds of thousands of people across France took to the streets on Thursday in nationwide protests against looming austerity measures, demanding President Emmanuel Macron and his new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu scrap planned budget cuts. Teachers, train drivers, hospital staff, and pharmacists joined the strikes, while students blocked dozens of high schools, calling for more public spending and higher taxes on the wealthy.

Union leaders warned the government to heed the anger on the streets, with CGT chief Sophie Binet declaring, “It’s the streets that must decide the budget.” The Interior Ministry had anticipated up to 800,000 demonstrators, and major disruptions were reported in schools and regional train services. Sporadic clashes broke out in cities including Nantes and Lyon, where police used tear gas and several people were injured.

Macron’s administration faces mounting pressure between protesters demanding social fairness and investors alarmed by France’s deficit, which nearly doubled the EU’s ceiling last year. Lecornu, who replaced ousted prime minister François Bayrou after his failed €44 billion budget squeeze plan, has signaled openness to compromise but must navigate a divided parliament. Over 80,000 security personnel were deployed nationwide, with police confirming more than 90 arrests by evening.

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