Hundreds of Thousands March in France as General Strike Hits Cities

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across France this Thursday, marking a significant moment in a growing wave of protests. The demonstrations, which included a general strike — a coordinated work stoppage by many different labor groups — were organized to show anger over the rising cost of living and planned cuts to public services. This latest action follows weeks of school blockades by students who have been calling for better learning conditions and more support for their families.

According to The Guardian, the scale of the protest was a point of disagreement between different groups. The government estimated that at least 600,000 people participated in the marches. However, the CGT, a major left-wing trade union, claimed the number was closer to 1.6 million. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, but tensions rose in some areas. In cities like Bordeaux and Lyon, riot police used teargas to control crowds. In Paris, police worked to stop students from creating barricades using wheelie bins outside high schools.

Public services, including schools and hospitals, were heavily affected by the strike. Teachers, hospital staff, and rail workers joined students to voice their frustrations. One 46-year-old psychiatric nurse from the Paris area explained that hospital cuts are making it difficult to care for patients. She noted that there are fewer doctors and nurses, and many staff members are exhausted. She added that it is becoming very hard for workers to pay their bills because their salaries have not increased enough to keep up with rising prices.

These protests are happening while the French government faces a difficult economic situation. As reported by The Guardian, the government is trying to pass a budget that includes spending cuts to address national debt, which is currently near 120% of the country's total economic output. Rail unions have warned that these cuts will make poverty worse, reduce social security, and stop necessary investments in environmental projects. Meanwhile, the government has proposed some measures to help schools, such as capping class sizes and providing funds to regional authorities for building repairs. However, many students and teachers argue that these steps are not enough to fix the problems of overcrowded classes and old, damaged buildings.

For many participants, the movement is about more than just money. A train driver from the CGT union told reporters that it is important to protest against the rise of the far-right as the 2027 presidential election approaches. Marine Le Pen, a candidate known for her anti-immigration views, is currently polling well. This adds a layer of political pressure to the already difficult situation for President Emmanuel Macron, whose final months in office have been marked by these domestic crises.

There is also growing concern regarding how the government is handling the protests. Rights groups have criticized the police for being too aggressive. They argue that the government is trying to limit the public's right to demonstrate. Rebecca, a 30-year-old social worker, expressed this frustration during the Paris march. She stated that the government’s main response to the movement has been to use police force rather than addressing the lack of funding for public services. She questioned why there is so much money for police but not for the services that people rely on every day.

As the situation continues, the divide between the government and the protesters remains wide. The government reported that 81 high schools were affected by the protests on Thursday, while student unions claimed the number was much higher, reaching 1,000. Additionally, about one-third of higher education sites saw students joining the movement. With the presidential election coming next spring, the pressure on the government to find a solution that satisfies both the need for economic stability and the demands of the public is intense. For now, the streets of France remain a place where citizens are determined to make their voices heard regarding the future of their public services and their daily lives.