A new wave of nationwide protests swept France on Thursday, November 5, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets to demand higher wages, protection of public services, and increased funding for education. University and high school students were joined by trade unions, employees from both the private and public sectors, and other citizens frustrated by the rising cost of living.
France’s Interior Ministry reported that more than 600,000 people participated in the demonstrations, while the CGT trade union claimed the figure was nearly 1.6 million. The protests led to disruptions in public transport, strikes, and, in some cities, violent clashes with police.
Hundreds of Thousands in the Streets, Hundreds Arrested by Police
Thursday’s mobilization was one of the most significant protest days in recent weeks, with more than 200 rallies and marches held across the country. Organizers aimed to unite the student movement with workers’ demands in an effort to put collective pressure on the government.
Authorities deployed around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide. According to available data, police detained at least 448 individuals. While most protests were peaceful, some cities saw confrontations and violent incidents.
The march in Paris was mostly calm, but tensions flared in other cities where police were required to intervene.
The scale of mobilization shows that discontent in France now extends far beyond a single social group. What began with student concerns has broadened to include calls for higher wages, better pensions and working conditions, and improved access to public services.
Unions Demand Higher Wages and Improved Living Standards
One of the primary demands of trade unions is an increase in the minimum wage and the start of negotiations over salary levels. Union leaders argue that many employees can no longer keep up with rising housing, food, and energy costs.
The unions are calling for the minimum wage to be raised by at least €100 per month, as well as broader sector-wide negotiations to address pay across various industries.
Employee representatives warn that the surge in prices is having a major impact on households’ daily lives, with more people feeling an increasing gap between incomes and the true cost of living.
Industrial, transport, and public sector workers also joined the demonstrations. Unions called for strikes to increase pressure on both employers and the government.
Education Becomes a Central Symbol of the Protests
The current protest movement began with students and high schoolers highlighting a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and poor conditions in school buildings.
Over time, their ranks swelled with teachers, parents, and university students, making education one of the most prominent issues fueling the mobilizations.
Unions and student organizations are demanding above all:
- the hiring of around 3,000 additional teachers,
- smaller class sizes and better teaching conditions,
- more school staff,
- investment to renovate school buildings,
- more stable funding for education.
The government is also considering loans of approximately €4 billion for school infrastructure upgrades. Protesters, however, say promises aren’t enough—they want concrete steps and long-term solutions.
Strikes Disrupt Transport and Schools
The demonstrations were not limited to street protests. Thursday’s mobilization also included strikes that disrupted the normal operation of several sectors.
The most severe disruptions were expected in rail transport, particularly in the Paris region. Energy sector workers and refinery employees also joined the strikes.
The protests further impacted schools, with about a third of secondary schools closed or operating in a limited capacity. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower temporarily shut its doors as well.
This level of disruption adds pressure on the government but may gradually erode public support for the protest movement among those directly affected by the measures.
Government Under Pressure but No Broad Concessions Yet
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his cabinet are seeking a balance between protesters’ demands and the need to stabilize public finances.
The government has opened a discussion about potentially raising the minimum wage earlier than the typical January 1 date, including possibly increasing it above the automatic adjustment level.
Unions argue, however, that simply moving up the pay review will not solve the problem of low incomes. They are seeking more decisive action and commitments that will be reflected in employees’ paychecks.
The government is also contending with a budget deficit, trying to reduce public spending while managing pressure to maintain high-quality services. This contradiction is one of the main reasons why talks with unions have stalled.
Protests Take on a Political Dimension
The wave of social discontent is increasingly shaping French politics. The protest movement originated outside traditional political structures, but political leaders are now getting involved.
Public dissatisfaction could shape the atmosphere ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the cost of living, jobs, education, and the quality of public services likely to become major campaign issues.
Figures from both the far right and left are weighing in, seeking to attract voters unhappy with the country’s current direction. However, the protest movement itself lacks unified political leadership, and its participants do not necessarily support the same parties.
More Protests May Follow
Unions and student organizations say they intend to keep up their activities. According to their representatives, the protests will continue unless the government offers concrete action on wages, education, and public services.
France is thus in a period of heightened social tension. Thursday’s mobilization demonstrated that discontent is bringing together students, workers, and other groups from across society.
Much will depend on whether the government can offer solutions that satisfy unions and the public. If negotiations stall, the protest movement is likely to continue in the coming weeks.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
