Hundreds of thousands of people were expected to join marches across France on Thursday as trade unions staged a nationwide strike affecting hospitals, air traffic control, the postal service, schools and the railways, the Guardian reports. The protests over living costs and public spending cuts come as the government struggles to pass an austerity budget through a divided parliament, with public debt nearing 120% of economic output.
High school students have been blockading schools for weeks over overcrowded classes and crumbling buildings, and some university students have joined them. Rail unions warned the proposed budget would deepen poverty and freeze public sector pay. Rights groups and the CGT union accused President Emmanuel Macron's government of an authoritarian approach after authorities in cities including Rennes, Toulouse and Lyon pushed demonstrations out of city centres. The rail operator SNCF warned of disruption to services.
Source: The Guardian