Unions are celebrating what they call an overwhelmingly successful day of demonstrations, while the government has given assurances that protester demands are “central to consultations.” Organizers claimed “more than a million people” were in the streets, declaring they had won their bet. The government, however, put the nationwide figure at “over 500,000,” half the union estimate.
In an unexpected and unusual post-protest statement, the Prime Minister confirmed his focus on the issues raised and announced new talks with unions in the coming days. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau proclaimed with satisfaction, “France was not blocked.”
The day of mobilization against “austerity budgets,” which targeted Emmanuel Macron and “the rich” in its slogans, was largely peaceful but marred by sporadic incidents. In Paris, the main march concluded without major issue until the very end at Place de la Nation, where the typical guerrilla scenes erupted between a massive police deployment and black bloc groups who refused dispersal orders.
Prior to these tail-end clashes—after most demonstrators had gone home—the march route saw damage to storefronts, particularly banks, broken bus shelters, and a few street fires. Retailleau’s final tally, delivered with evident relief compared to the pre-protest tension, was 309 arrests across France, with 10 protesters, one journalist (from France TV), and 26 police officers injured—a far cry from the violence seen during the Yellow Vest or 2023 pension reform protests.
The dominant themes in the roughly 250 marches across the country were taxes on the rich, pension reform, inflation, and the high cost of living. Palestinian flags and calls for Macron to resign were numerous.
Unions, united for the first time since a 2023 split over pension reform strategy, led the marches and expressed delight at the turnout, which they said was “more than double” that of a protest just eight days prior. Strike participation was noted in transport and the public sector, though less significant than predicted.
Ultimately, union leaders met but failed to agree on a new date for further demonstrations, an initiative that had been previously announced. The general impression is that they are awaiting the outcome of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s consultations. Analysts suggest Lecornu may have been given carte blanche by Macron to make significant concessions to avoid a political crisis and snap elections. His skills as a negotiator are being tested, with open channels to both Marine Le Pen’s party and the socialists, who threaten a no-confidence vote daily but remain open to talks.