France Braces for Nationwide Protests

France faces nationwide strikes as unions mobilise in over 240 cities against budget cuts, pension reforms and austerity measures, putting new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu under intense pressure amid a soaring deficit.

France is preparing for a day of mass disruption as protesters in more than 240 cities take to the streets to oppose looming budget cuts, demanding increased public spending, higher taxation on the wealthy, and the reversal of controversial pension reforms.

The demonstrations, organised by major trade unions and backed by student groups, teachers, and workers across multiple sectors, are expected to present the first major challenge to newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. His government is grappling with a widening deficit that has nearly doubled the limits set by the European Union, fuelling public anger over austerity measures.

Authorities have announced the deployment of 76,000 police officers nationwide to maintain order during the strikes, underscoring the scale of the mobilisation and the government’s concerns about potential unrest. Public transport, education services, and parts of the energy sector are expected to be heavily disrupted, with some unions warning of rolling strikes in the weeks ahead.

Union leaders argue that the government’s fiscal tightening unfairly targets ordinary citizens while failing to hold the wealthiest to account. “France needs investment in its people, not more sacrifices from those who can least afford it,” one union spokesperson said. The pension reforms, which raised the retirement age, remain a flashpoint issue after sparking months of protests last year.

For Prime Minister Lecornu, who only recently assumed office, the strikes represent an early and daunting test of political resolve. His administration has defended the cuts as essential to restoring fiscal stability and maintaining investor confidence, but critics contend they will deepen inequality and social division.

The protests also highlight broader tensions within the European Union, where fiscal discipline rules are increasingly at odds with public demands for stronger social protections in the face of economic uncertainty. Analysts warn that France’s approach could reverberate across the bloc, emboldening similar movements in countries facing comparable budgetary pressures.

Beyond the political battle, the strikes underscore the enduring power of French street protest as a counterweight to government policy. With students, workers, and unions uniting once again, the confrontation is about more than balancing books—it is a struggle over the social contract itself.

As one protest organiser put it, “The deficit is an excuse; the real deficit is in justice and equality.” For now, France’s streets remain the true arena where economic policy is tested.