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, coinciding with student protests that resulted in clashes with police. Unions reported approximately 300,000 participants in the nationwide strike, while police estimated 30,000 in Paris alone. Protesters expressed discontent over government budget cuts and proposed salary freezes for state employees.
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 individuals were detained during the unrest. The strikes and protests precede the government's upcoming draft budget announcement and come seven months before the presidential election. Unions criticized the government's proposal to freeze base salaries for state employees in 2027, which they argue has eroded workers' purchasing power.
Sophie Binet, general secretary of the General Confederation of Labor, described the protests as a “red alert” and urged the government to reconsider its budget plans. The Education Ministry indicated that just over 11 percent of teachers participated in the strike, with lower turnout among other civil servants. Professional firefighters also joined the protests, citing resource shortages exposed by recent wildfires.
Students have been protesting against issues such as timetables, class sizes, and teacher shortages, with demonstrations beginning in the Ile-de-France region and spreading nationwide. Authorities reported injuries to 10 students and staff, as well as 48 law enforcement officials during the clashes, which included students setting fires and throwing projectiles. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the detentions and condemned the violence. Education Minister Edouard Geffray also denounced the clashes, stating that legal proceedings had commenced.
In Seine-Saint-Denis, Mayor Bally Bagayoko joined student protests, labeling them as legitimate due to resource disparities in poorer areas. Students expressed their 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 called for mobilization against the draft budget. A recent poll indicated that Melenchon and Marine Le Pen are likely to advance in the presidential race, with Le Pen positioned favorably to win.