France Strikes And School Blockades Over Budget Cuts Put Macron Under Pressure

News in Short:

France was hit by mass strikes and school blockades as teachers, train drivers, pharmacists, hospital staff, and students protested against looming budget cuts. Unions demand more funding for public services, higher taxes on the wealthy, and reversal of pension reforms. With transport, schools, and even nuclear output disrupted, President Macron faces mounting political and financial pressure.

News In Details: France

Teachers, train drivers, pharmacists, hospital staff, and even high school students took to the streets across France on Thursday, staging nationwide strikes and blockades in protest against looming government budget cuts.

Unions are demanding that the previous government’s fiscal plan be scrapped, calling instead for more investment in public services, higher taxes on the wealthy, and the reversal of unpopular pension reforms that force people to work longer.

In Paris, metro services were severely disrupted, with many lines shut down outside of peak travel hours. At several schools, students blocked entrances with placards reading slogans such as “Block your high school against austerity.”

Macron Faces Rising Political Pressure

The protests come as President Emmanuel Macron and his newly appointed Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, confront mounting political turmoil. France’s budget deficit, nearly double the EU’s 3% limit last year, has heightened pressure on the government to rein in spending.

Lecornu’s predecessor, François Bayrou, was ousted after parliament rejected his plan for a €44 billion budget squeeze. Lecornu has hinted at possible compromises but has yet to clarify his fiscal strategy. Unions remain defiant. “The workers we represent are angry,” several major unions declared in a joint statement, rejecting what they called “brutal” and “unfair” policies.

CGT union leader Sophie Binet reinforced that message: “The budget will be decided in the streets.”

Widespread Disruption Across Sectors

The strikes had a major impact nationwide. One in three primary school teachers joined the walkout, while regional train services were severely reduced. High-speed TGV lines continued to run, though with delays. Protesters also blocked a highway near Toulon in the southeast.

Even France’s nuclear energy sector was hit, with EDF reporting a 1.1 gigawatt drop in production after workers scaled back output at the Flamanville 1 reactor.

Pharmacists also joined the protest, with nearly all pharmacies expected to close after their union, USPO, reported overwhelming support for the strike. Farmers from the Confédération Paysanne also pledged mobilization.

Heavy Police Deployment

Authorities braced for potential unrest, deploying 80,000 police and gendarmes nationwide. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said riot squads, drones, and armored vehicles were on standby. He warned that up to 8,000 agitators might attempt to provoke clashes.

By morning, police had already cleared blockades at bus depots in the Paris region. Despite the heavy security, the message from workers, students, and unions was clear: France’s austerity plans are facing fierce resistance both in the streets and at the ballot box.

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