France is on the brink of holding a nationwide protest on Thursday, which is expected to see hundreds of thousands of participants. This protest is especially driven by union strikes and student demonstrations that have swept the country in recent weeks.
Social and Economic Developments
The student movement, which began with protests against poor educational conditions, has intensified alongside widespread dissatisfaction with rising living costs and inequalities. On October 17, France witnessed the worst riots in recent years, which exacerbated the social crisis.
Read more: Results of the U.S. Midterm Elections and Their Impact on Iran and the Region
Officials estimate that between 500,000 and 700,000 people will participate in Thursday's protests, with about 80,000 expected in Paris. Marilyse Léon from the CFDT union has predicted that this gathering will resemble the significant pension reform protests of 2023, when over a million people took to the streets.
Strikes and Union Demands
Public and private education unions, as well as railway workers, public hospital staff, and postal services unions, have also announced strikes. Their demands from the government and employers include an increase in the minimum wage, which has not seen any increase since 2012, a general wage increase, tax reforms, and improved educational conditions for youth.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has announced that 70,000 police and security forces will be deployed across the country and has promised a firm response to any "violent acts" or disorder.
Although the protests have generally been peaceful, some have led to clashes. On Saturday, after incendiary bombs were thrown at security forces in Paris, an investigation was launched on charges of attempted murder. The police response has also faced criticism for being overly harsh, and an internal investigation into allegations of violence against protesters has begun.
On Wednesday, the Paris municipality declared the main protest route between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Concorde in the city center prohibited and approved an alternative route heading east. Several unions condemned these prohibitions as a restriction on the right to protest and some made last-minute requests.
Protests led by youth have also taken place in recent weeks in Denmark, Germany, and Italy.
Read more: Orphaned Children in Lebanon Seeking Normal Life in an Orphanage in Tabbeneh · Student Protests in France for Educational Reforms
