Massive anti-austerity protests and labor strikes swept across France on Thursday, piling immense pressure on the newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu as he strives to push through a critical debt-reduction budget before the year’s end.
From railway workers to students and civil servants, a diverse array of citizens joined forces in demonstrations orchestrated by powerful labor unions. Their collective voice rose against the previous prime minister, François Bayrou’s, proposals to slash €44 billion (nearly $52 billion) from the state budget for the upcoming year. While the Interior Ministry estimated turnout at over 500,000, leading unions claimed more than a million participants.
Bayrou was ousted from power by lawmakers just last week, leading President Emmanuel Macron to appoint Lecornu, a known centrist and close ally, as his successor.
However, it remained unclear whether Lecornu, who had promised a “break” from past policies, would abandon these controversial plans or merely use them as a starting point for parliamentary amendments. Consequently, public anxiety over the impending budget cuts has continued unabated.
A powerful image captures the spirit of defiance, with individuals dressed in black, some holding placards and a brightly burning flare. Elsewhere, students took direct action, physically blocking the entrance to a high school in Paris on Thursday.
“The budget forced upon us by the former prime minister — and it seems the new one will be no different — is one of pure austerity,” declared Cécilia Rapine, an archaeologist from Normandy, as she held an orange union flag aloft amidst the Parisian march. Around her, protesters set off smoke bombs and danced energetically to music blaring from trucks.
Rapine acknowledged the urgent need to address France’s delicate financial situation. Yet, her concern centered on the potential burden placed on schools and hospitals, which she feared would suffer after years of pro-business tax policies that she argued had already depleted state resources.
“Austerity offers no hope,” Rapine stated, as a cloud of orange smoke drifted overhead. “Instead, it deepens the existing fissures within our society.”
A striking scene unfolded in cities like Nantes, where demonstrators marched through the streets under the vigilant gaze of riot police officers.
Labor unions are adamant that any budget resembling Bayrou’s proposals—including measures like freezing welfare payments at their current levels—would impose an intolerable burden on the nation’s lower and middle classes. They advocate for increased taxes on the wealthy and large corporations, greater investment in public services, and a reversal of President Macron’s controversial increase in the legal retirement age.
“Today, we are delivering an unmistakable warning to the government,” announced Marylise Léon, head of the French Democratic Confederation of Labor, the country’s largest union, during the Paris march. “This budget cannot be constructed solely on the backs of working people.”
In Paris, numerous metro lines operated only during peak hours, and while regional train services experienced disruptions, the country’s high-speed rail network largely maintained its normal schedule. Unions reported that approximately a third of elementary school teachers and 45 percent of middle and high school teachers participated in the strike, although the Education Ministry’s figures were lower.
A lively demonstration makes its way through Strasbourg, showcasing the widespread discontent.
The impact of the strikes extended beyond transportation and education. Portions of the iconic Louvre Museum were forced to close, and even the Eiffel Tower temporarily shut its doors. Authorities even had to reschedule the transfer of the historic Bayeux Tapestry, a medieval embroidery chronicling the Norman Conquest of England, from a Normandy museum to a storage facility in preparation for its loan to Britain next year.
While generally peaceful, some city marches saw skirmishes erupt between small groups of protesters, who hurled objects and vandalized businesses, and riot police, who responded with volleys of tear gas. By midday, the Interior Ministry reported 140 arrests related to the protests, with 80,000 security forces deployed nationwide to manage the demonstrations.
Just last week, nearly 200,000 people across France took part in similar protests, sparked by an informal online movement known as “Bloquons Tout” (“Let’s Block Everything”). Although these early demonstrations didn’t fully paralyze the country, their surprisingly large turnout — double what authorities anticipated — underscored a deep undercurrent of public dissatisfaction.
In response, Mr. Lecornu swiftly abandoned one of his predecessor’s most unpopular proposals: the elimination of two national holidays. He also declared that the government would cut back on certain privileges for former cabinet members, such as police protection, personal secretaries, and drivers. This move, while symbolic, is expected to make only a minuscule dent in France’s massive deficit, which has soared to €166.6 billion, marking the largest since World War II.
Protesters gather near a train station in Marseille, reflecting the widespread national unrest.
“We cannot demand sacrifices from the French people if those leading the state are unwilling to do the same,” Lecornu stated last week in an interview with French newspapers.
However, Lecornu’s initial actions have so far failed to quell the mounting social unrest. Mathieu Bertier, a prison worker participating in the Paris march alongside fellow union members, emphasized the need for more substantial changes. He issued a stark warning: if the government remains “stubborn,” it too “will be thrown out.”
To avoid the fate of his two immediate predecessors, both of whom were ousted by lawmakers, Lecornu has spent the past week engaging in consultations with various political parties and labor representatives, aiming to forge a consensus on his 2026 budget. Following the protests, Lecornu affirmed his commitment to “continuing dialogue with all social partners” and stated that the protesters’ demands were “at the heart” of these ongoing discussions.
The challenge is formidable: Parliament’s lower house is fragmented into three distinct blocs—left, center, and far-right—each holding differing views on how to tackle France’s financial woes, leaving Lecornu with an extremely narrow path to secure approval.
In a bid to break the political stalemate, the nationalist, anti-immigrant National Rally party is urging Macron to call new parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, the far-left France Unbowed party demands his resignation. Yet, the president has rejected both calls, instead tasking Lecornu with finding a viable budget agreement.
A large gathering of people on a street near a body of water during a protest in Lyon. The scene underscores France’s ongoing political turmoil and growing financial concerns.
This precarious situation has elevated the moderate Socialist Party to a pivotal position. With 66 lawmakers in the 577-seat lower house, they possess enough votes to either support or defeat a no-confidence motion. However, their demands, which include a 2% wealth tax on assets exceeding €100 million, clash directly with Macron’s established pro-business agenda.
After a Wednesday meeting, Olivier Faure, the Socialist Party leader, expressed disappointment, noting that Lecornu remained elusive regarding his specific budget proposals. “So far, we are left hungry for more,” Faure remarked.
Last week, Fitch Ratings downgraded France’s sovereign debt rating, attributing the decision to the nation’s “increased fragmentation and polarization” in politics. The country’s deficit significantly exceeds the 3% eurozone limit, and the national debt has climbed to €3.35 trillion this year, or 116% of economic output, representing one of the heaviest financial burdens within the eurozone.
This persistent instability, however, extends beyond mere financial implications.
Sophie Gal, a middle-school English teacher from near Montpellier, highlighted at the Paris march how a series of cabinet reshuffles and collapses over the past two years had resulted in a bewildering succession of education ministers.
“Every time, we have to start over,” she lamented. “The real problems are never truly addressed.”