Thousands took part in anti-austerity protests across France on Thursday, urging President Emmanuel Macron and his new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to acknowledge their anger and scrap looming budget cuts.
Teachers, train drivers, pharmacists and hospital staff were among those who went on strike as part of the day of protests, while teenagers blocked dozens of high schools.
Protesters are calling for the previous government’s fiscal plans to be scrapped, for more spending on public services, higher taxes on the wealthy, and for the reversal of an unpopular change making people work longer to get a pension.
“Block your high school against austerity,” read a placard raised by a student in front of the Lycee Maurice Ravel high school, where the gathering included teachers and workers’ representatives.
“The anger is huge, and so is the determination. My message to Mr. Lecornu today is this: it’s the streets that must decide the budget,” Sophie Binet, the head of the CGT union, said.
France’s budget deficit last year was close to double the EU’s 3% ceiling but much as he wants to reduce that, Lecornu – reliant on other parties to push through legislation – will face a battle to gather parliamentary support for a budget for 2026.
(Reuters)
