France braces for nationwide protests and strikes on 5 November

France was preparing for nationwide demonstrations and strike action on Thursday, 5 November, as unions mobilised over living costs, public services and education, according to Reuters. Hundreds of thousands were expected to march in cities across the country, while public workers planned to strike in a fresh challenge to President Emmanuel Macron’s government.

The mobilisation was called by trade unions including the CGT and backed by student groups, Reuters reported. Authorities planned to deploy about 70,000 police nationwide, a figure Reuters attributed to BFM TV. The same broadcaster reported that France’s domestic intelligence service expected 500,000 to 700,000 demonstrators outside Paris. Macron convened a defence and security meeting on Wednesday, 4 November, ahead of the protests.

Which services faced strike disruption

The education ministry expected 17.5% of public primary teachers to strike, Reuters reported. The Guardian described the expectation as almost 18% of nursery and primary teachers, and said unions also expected secondary teachers to take part. Students had continued to blockade schools over overcrowded classes and dilapidated buildings, while university students blockaded some faculties, the Guardian reported.

Protests follow weeks of unrest and criticism

The demonstrations grew out of student anger over deteriorating school conditions and concerns about young people’s opportunities, then broadened to living costs and public services, Reuters reported. Riots and looting on 17 October damaged shops and public buildings and brought criticism of Macron’s handling of the crisis. A nationwide protest the preceding Saturday was generally peaceful, though Reuters reported some clashes on its fringes.

The government was seeking to contain tensions. Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said after a cabinet meeting that officials were “extremely vigilant” because “it is out of the question to relive October 17”, Reuters reported. The Guardian reported that rights groups objected to heavy policing and restrictions on demonstrations in some city centres, with curfews in certain areas. CGT leader Sophie Binet called the government’s approach a “very dangerous authoritarian drift”, according to the Guardian. Reuters said the government defended police tactics and said alleged abuses would be investigated.