France Braces for Fresh Protests in Test for Macron's Policies
Hundreds of thousands are expected to march across France on Thursday as unions stage a nationwide strike. The protests target living costs, public services and conditions in schools.
70,000 police are set to deploy nationwide, BFM TV reported.
500,000 to 700,000 marchers are expected outside Paris, per domestic intelligence.
17.5% of public primary school teachers are expected to strike.
Rail, ports, hospitals, post offices and air traffic control face disruption.
Why it matters: A movement that began with high school students has grown into a broad challenge to Macron's government. Riots and looting on October 17 caught security forces off guard.
The government is trying to pass a budget with spending cuts in a divided parliament.
France Braces for Fresh Protests in Test for Macron's PoliciesYou are hereLatest
How 3 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
High
Mixed
Low
Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean% of 3 sources
3 sources · 4 articles · 67% Center coverage
Where they split: Coverage divides on whether the main story is restoring order after October's riots or official restrictions on the right to protest.
Left coverage, 1 sources: The left sees workers and students resisting austerity budget cuts while the government restricts demonstrations in what unions and rights groups call an authoritarian drift.
What’s next: Thursday's turnout and any clashes will shape the run-up to next spring's presidential election. A Macron aide said the goal is to calm the country before the campaign begins.
Power unions are expected to join, EDF said, raising risks to electricity supply.
Will Thursday's marches stay peaceful, as last Saturday's mostly did?
Can the government pass its budget amid the strikes?
How will the unrest affect the 2027 presidential race?
