France’s labor protests widened pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government Thursday, as workers and students disrupted schools and transport while demanding higher pay amid surging household costs.
Unions said roughly 260 rallies were planned nationwide. Major marches took place in Paris, Lyon and Marseille, AP, EPA and Reuters reported. The day’s action followed weeks of recurring protests over living costs.
Student blockades and teacher walkouts interrupted classes at roughly one-third of France’s high schools. Public transport services faced serious disruption across the country, and the Eiffel Tower closed for the day.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said authorities were deploying 70,000 police officers, backed by armored vehicles, drones and helicopters. In Strasbourg, police urged residents to use “extreme caution” near some schools as tensions continued.
France’s main unions said in a joint statement that recession was approaching and employers’ job-cut plans were becoming more common. They described households as squeezed by rising prices. “Fuel, food products, rent, gas, electricity … everything’s going up except wages and pensions,” the unions said.
The school protest traces to a September action at a high school near Paris over staff shortages. Its demands later expanded to more education funding, better pensions and relief from fuel costs. High school and university students joined union members, making Thursday’s rally a wider demonstration over pay, prices and public services.
Nunez said authorities made 135 arrests nationwide during the Oct. 24 demonstrations over school funding and living costs, part of a previous round of protests covered by EconoTimes.
AP, EPA and Reuters described a festive atmosphere at Place de la Republique, where musicians and choirs performed under heavy security. The protests also fall as France approaches next May’s presidential election. AP, EPA and Reuters reported that political parties from across the spectrum are seeking support from voters nationwide by drawing on the unrest.
