With new protests planned in France for Oct. 24, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was due to meet five unions Wednesday on crowd safety and demands raised by high school students.
AFP reported that the session was expected to focus on protecting demonstrations and addressing student concerns. Representatives of CFDT, CGT, FO, CFTC and CFE-CGC were expected, along with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
Student organizations were not invited, although their demands were expected to come up. AFP reported that the issues included school timetables, teacher replacements, building renovations and Parcoursup. It also said the CFDT and CGT objected to the students’ absence.
During an Oct. 19 government briefing, Lecornu said he wanted to discuss with unions how to protect the right to demonstrate. After weekend violence and looting, he asked prefects to impose partial curfews in specific areas to protect people and shops. The government said it would activate short-time work at 100% and establish a fund for affected businesses.
Lecornu cited protests during François Hollande’s presidency, the Touraine laws and pension reform as earlier episodes in which unrest affected the right to demonstrate. Estimates of turnout at the Oct. 17 demonstrations differed: France’s Interior Ministry reported 550,000 people, while the CGT put the figure at 800,000.
A joint statement from CFDT, CGT, FO, UNSA and FSU called for a strike and march on Nov. 5. The unions seek wage and pension increases, a higher minimum wage and more funding for public services. The CGT said wages, purchasing power, public services and the 2027 budget were among the reasons for its Nov. 5 mobilization.
AFP reported that Yellow Vest groups and high school students planned demonstrations for Oct. 24. The Associated Press reported that Lecornu described Saturday’s planned security deployment as “massive,” without giving a staffing figure. Lecornu is due to review a police deployment plan on Oct. 22 ahead of the Oct. 24 protests.
