France Protests Against Austerity Budget

Tens of thousands across France joined union-led strikes and marches Thursday demanding the withdrawal of the government's austerity budget, opposing proposals such as raising the retirement age to 64 and calling for greater fiscal and social justice including a wealth tax on the super-rich. The protests coincided with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's delay in naming a new cabinet after his predecessor was ousted, as he struggles to craft a 2026 budget and faces pressure to reconsider proposed cuts. Authorities projected turnout lower than September's demonstrations — roughly 300,000–350,000 nationwide and 20,000–40,000 in Paris — though union and police figures varied. The action was planned to be less disruptive to transport and schools than earlier strikes, with high-speed trains and much of the Paris metro largely running and only limited flight reductions at Paris Beauvais, although some metro stations were closed and parts of the Louvre were affected. Authorities mobilised tens of thousands of police and gendarmes, underscoring political sensitivity as France grapples with high public debt (about 114% of GDP) and a 5.8% deficit that prompted the EU to open an excessive deficit procedure.