Tens of thousands of civil servants, including teachers, firefighters, and healthcare workers, marched in cities across France to demand higher pay and better working conditions amid government budget cuts. Unions reported approximately 300,000 participants in the one-day strike, while police estimated 30,000 in Paris alone. Protests occurred at over 400 schools, with 40 blockaded and 44 facing attempted blockades. Officials reported ten injuries among students and staff, and at least 440 detentions during the unrest.
The strikes and protests coincided with the government's upcoming draft budget announcement and follow a proposal to freeze state employee salaries in 2027, which unions argue has eroded workers' purchasing power. Sophie Binet, general secretary of the General Confederation of Labor, described the protests as a “red alert,” urging the government to reconsider its budget cuts within 48 hours.
The Education Ministry indicated that just over 11 percent of teachers participated in the strike, with lower participation among other civil servants. Professional firefighters, citing resource shortages exposed by recent wildfires, were also among the demonstrators. The government has introduced measures to assist households facing rising energy prices but has not alleviated public discontent with President Emmanuel Macron’s administration.
Student protests have centered on issues such as class sizes and teacher shortages, with demonstrations spreading from the Ile-de-France region to other cities. In clashes with police, 48 law enforcement officials were injured, and students reportedly set fires and threw projectiles. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the detentions, stating that two-thirds of those detained were in police custody. Education Minister Edouard Geffray condemned the violence, asserting that it endangered students and public officials.
In Seine-Saint-Denis, Mayor Bally Bagayoko joined student protests, calling their actions legitimate due to resource disparities. Students expressed demands for reduced police presence and increased funding for education. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu criticized the protests but acknowledged the need to address high school difficulties. Jean-Luc Melenchon, a leftist presidential candidate, accused the government of dismantling public services and urged mobilization against the draft budget. A recent poll indicated that Melenchon and Marine Le Pen are likely contenders for the presidential run-off next year.