LIVE EVENT • Sept 18, 2025 France Public services • Austerity

France Strikes Over Budget Cuts — What Happened & Why

Hundreds of thousands marched across France as unions protested planned budget cuts, pressuring President Emmanuel Macron and new PM Sébastien Lecornu. Schools, transport, hospitals—and even most pharmacies—were disrupted.

Updated: Sept 19, 2025

Key Numbers

TurnoutAuthorities: ~500k, Unions: ~1M

Arrests141–180+ nationwide

Actions~250–470+ marches

DisruptionTransport, schools, 9/10 pharmacies closed

What’s at stake?

• Govt austerity / budget cuts amid deficit
• Unions demand protect services, tax wealthy
• Context: anger after pension reform; new PM S. Lecornu

Timeline

Earlier Sept

“Block Everything” movement builds momentum.

Sept 18

Nationwide strikes disrupt daily life.

Late Afternoon

Clashes and 100+ arrests reported.

Next

PM may negotiate; unions threaten more action.

Sources

• Reuters
• The Guardian
• Al Jazeera

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