France Prepares for Major Protests as Students Unite in Strikes

News Desk

PARIS: Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are set to flood the streets of France on Thursday as trade unions organize strikes alongside ongoing student-led protests that have captured national attention for weeks.

The high school student movement, which initially emerged in response to poor educational conditions, has coincided with widespread discontent over rising living costs and economic inequality.

This unrest reached a peak on October 17, resulting in some of the most severe rioting France has experienced in years.

Authorities anticipate that between 500,000 and 700,000 people will participate in protests across the nation, with around 80,000 expected to march in the capital, Paris.

Marylise Leon of the CFDT union emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “It’s going to be a strong mobilisation,” and drawing parallels to the pension reform protests in 2023 that saw over one million participants.

In a coordinated effort, public and private education unions, along with those representing rail workers, public hospitals, and postal services, have called for strike action.

Their demands include an increase in the minimum wage, which has remained unchanged since 2012, highlighting the urgent need for economic reform.