France’s Nov. 5 labor protests over wages and education produced sharply different turnout estimates from the government and the CGT, alongside 448 arrests and 53 security-force injuries reported by the Interior Ministry.
The ministry’s national tally listed 193 public actions with an estimated combined attendance of 575,000, including 65,000 in Paris. By 11:30 a.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CET; 16:30 UTC), the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) put participation at 1,573,000 across 207 cities, with 350,000 in Paris. The reports describe different event or geographic scopes, but do not explain the gap between their totals.
At noon ET (6 p.m. CET; 17:00 UTC) Nov. 5, the ministry’s provisional figures showed 448 arrests and 53 members of the security forces injured. It said 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were mobilized nationwide.
The CGT framed its demands around higher pay and social protection, alongside public services and better study conditions. It said the last comparable mobilization came during the campaign against pension changes in 2023. University student Garance Blaise, 21, told the Associated Press that children needed “a proper future.”
The Education Ministry put teacher participation at 15.81% on its weighted measure. It said the calculation drew on most academies, left Toulouse out and included Réunion. The government proposed limiting seconde classes to 28 students at half of the least-favored high schools starting in the 2027 school year, with other high schools to follow in 2028. The ministry also said a 2027 budget proposal would spare secondary-school posts planned for cuts and add 500 teacher positions.
The government has scheduled a social conference at Matignon for Monday, Nov. 9, with representative employee and employer groups to discuss wages and purchasing power.
