Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to march across France this Thursday as public-sector workers stage a nationwide strike, creating a significant challenge for President Emmanuel Macron’s government. The mobilization follows weeks of mounting unrest and comes as the country prepares for an upcoming presidential election.
The demonstrations, which have been called by trade unions including the left-wing CGT and supported by various student groups, are driven by grievances regarding the cost of living, the quality of public services, and deteriorating conditions within the education sector. These protests have triggered some of the most severe civil unrest France has witnessed in recent years.
To manage the situation, French authorities are deploying approximately 70,000 police officers across the country. According to BFM TV, the domestic intelligence service anticipates that between 500,000 and 700,000 people will participate in demonstrations outside of Paris. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon stated that authorities are on high alert following riots and looting on October 17 that resulted in damage to shops and public buildings. During a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, she emphasized that the government is extremely vigilant, noting that it is out of the question to relive the events of October 17.
The strike is expected to have a broad impact on public services. The Education Ministry reported that 17.5 percent of public primary school teachers are expected to walk off the job, while unions have warned of disruptions to rail and public transport services. Additionally, the state-owned utility EDF confirmed that electricity workers' unions will join the strike. A previous power-sector walkout in mid-September reduced electricity supplies and cut delivery capacity at the Dunkirk LNG terminal, which is France's largest liquefied natural gas facility.
Students are also joining the marches, citing uncertainty about their future and poor school conditions. Irma de Banville, a 19-year-old student in Paris, noted that while some individuals are hesitant to participate due to a fear of police violence, there is a continued effort to mobilize. The government has defended its police tactics while stating that any allegations of misconduct would be investigated.
In preparation for the demonstrations, President Macron convened a defense and security meeting on Wednesday. An official close to the president stated that the government's goal is to restore calm and launch the presidential election in the most stable conditions possible. The official noted that the number of high school blockades has declined this week compared to earlier in the crisis. While nationwide demonstrations last Saturday were largely peaceful, political tensions remain high as candidates position themselves for the election and opposition parties seek to capitalize on public frustration regarding government policy and living standards.
