Political situation in France

Millions protest in France: “Our anger is enormous”

More than a million people are demonstrating across France against government cuts, according to an estimate by the CGT union cited by AFP. The Interior Ministry’s figures on the protests are expected later in the evening.

“Our anger is enormous, just like our determination,” union leader Sophie Binet told Reuters.

Many professional groups went on strike and high school students occupied their schools during the day. The protesters are calling on President Emmanuel Macron and the newly elected president Sebastien Lecornu to scrap planned cuts, raise taxes on the richest and remove the increase in the retirement age, according to Reuters.

Mass strike in France so far calmer than expected

Teachers, healthcare workers, transport workers and other public employees are going on strike in France today. Around 800,000 people are expected to take part in demonstrations across the country, French media reports.

Unions have joined forces to jointly protest against planned budget cuts of 44 billion euros.

Train and air traffic has been affected and schools are closed in several places, but according to Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, the protests have so far been less intense than expected, writes France24. Around 50 people have been arrested around the country.