France has been rocked by massive protests following sweeping state budget cuts. On Thursday, in response to calls from trade unions and left-wing parties, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Paris and other cities.
Union leaders claim that at least 1 million people joined the demonstrations, while the Interior Ministry put the figure at around 500,000. To maintain order, nearly 80,000 police officers were deployed nationwide.
Clashes broke out in Paris, Lyon, and Nantes as police used tear gas, batons, and shields to disperse crowds. More than 300 protesters were arrested, according to the Interior Ministry.
The protests brought the country to a standstill. Most metro services to Paris were suspended, roads were blocked, and schools, universities, and even pharmacies across the country shut down. Reports suggest 98 percent of pharmacies remained closed.
The unrest stems from budget cuts announced by former Prime Minister François Bayrou, who slashed $44 billion in welfare and other allocations to ease France’s debt burden. The move sparked fierce criticism, leading to a no-confidence vote in which Bayrou lost power. His successor, Sébastien Lecornu, has yet to reverse the cuts, fueling further anger.
Protesters argue the government is favoring the wealthy while burdening ordinary citizens. Trade union leaders have vowed to intensify their movement in the coming days.
Meanwhile, outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Resilio said the government will not reverse the cuts. He warned demonstrators to “go home” or face more arrests. Leftist opposition groups have countered that any hardline measures from the government will spark an even stronger backlash.