Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate in strikes and protests across France on Thursday, organized by labor unions and coinciding with new student demonstrations.
For weeks, France has been experiencing protests by high school students against deteriorating educational conditions and the university admissions system. These protests have been accompanied by widespread demonstrations against the high cost of living and inequality, culminating on October 17 with the worst riots in France in years.
Authorities estimate that between 500,000 and 700,000 people will participate in Thursday's demonstrations across France, while up to 80,000 are expected to march in Paris.
Marylise Leon of the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) said that "the mobilization will be strong," predicting a turnout similar to that seen during the 2023 protests against pension reforms in France, which drew more than a million demonstrators.
The strike has been called by public and private education unions, as well as unions representing railway workers, public hospitals, and postal services.
The unions are demanding that both the government and employers raise the minimum wage, which has not been increased since 2012, and implement general salary increases, tax reforms, and improvements to students' educational conditions.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced on Wednesday that 70,000 police and security forces would be deployed across France, warning of a "very firm response" to any "acts of violence" or public disorder.
- "A wake-up call" -
While the student protests were largely peaceful, some clashes with police occurred, with tear gas and water cannons being used to disperse demonstrators.
An investigation was opened into attempted murder after Molotov cocktails were thrown at security forces in Paris on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the police tactics employed in handling the protests have been criticized, with accusations of excessive force. Internal investigations are already underway.
Several teenage protesters were seriously injured, and thousands were arrested.
Authorities acknowledged security and intelligence failures that led to the clashes and enabled widespread looting and vandalism of public property on October 17.
On Wednesday, local authorities in Paris refused to authorize a large demonstration to follow a route between the Place de la Bastille and the Place de la Concorde, which would have passed through the city center, but granted permission for a different route.
Several unions viewed the ban on the marches as a suppression of the freedom to demonstrate, and some filed last-minute appeals to have them reinstated.
Fabrice Faure of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) noted that "public sympathy for the student movement in high schools and universities is not waning, and people are questioning the restrictions on freedoms, especially the ban on demonstrations."
He added that this "has been a wake-up call for people who don't usually express their opinions very much."
Similar protests to those in France have taken place in other European countries in recent weeks, including youth demonstrations in Denmark, Germany, and Italy.
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