French Unions Mobilize Nationwide Strikes against Austerity Measures
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Hundreds of thousands of workers across France are preparing to strike and protest on Thursday against planned budget cuts, intensifying political pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and his newly appointed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
Teachers, train drivers, hospital staff, pharmacists and other workers are expected to join nationwide demonstrations demanding more funding for public services, heavier taxes on the wealthy, and the reversal of unpopular pension reforms.
Unions accused the previous government of imposing "brutal" and "unfair" fiscal plans, warning that the new administration must change course.
"The workers we represent are angry," the main unions said in a joint statement.
France’s budget deficit remains nearly double the European Union’s 3% ceiling.
Prime Minister Lecornu, who relies on parliamentary allies to push through legislation, faces an uphill battle to win support for a 2026 budget.
He was appointed last week after lawmakers ousted Francois Bayrou over his plan for a €44 billion spending squeeze.
Lecornu has not yet confirmed whether he will adopt Bayrou’s proposals, though he signaled openness to compromise.
Union leaders vowed to keep up the pressure.
"We will continue to mobilise as long as there is no adequate response," CGT chief Sophie Binet said after meeting Lecornu this week.
"The budget will be decided in the streets."
Severe disruption is expected across schools and transport.
One in three primary school teachers will strike, according to the FSU-SNUipp union.
Power utility EDF said some of its workers will join the action.
The Paris metro and regional train services are likely to face widespread delays, though high-speed TGV routes are expected to run on most lines.
Farmers with the Confederation Paysanne union have also called for mobilisation.
Pharmacists are protesting changes they say threaten their business model, with the USPO union reporting that nearly all pharmacies could close for the day.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced that 80,000 police and gendarmes will be deployed nationwide.
Riot units, drones and armoured vehicles will be on standby to counter sabotage attempts and possible clashes.
Retailleau warned of "violent troublemakers" seeking confrontations with security forces.
