Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to march through French cities on Thursday as trade unions stage a nationwide strike, in a fresh test for President Emmanuel Macron after weeks of unrest that have rattled his government.
The mobilisation, called by five trade unions including the left-wing CGT and backed by student groups, follows demonstrations over living costs, public services and education that have triggered the worst civil unrest France has seen in years. Unions are demanding a rise in the minimum wage, the immediate opening of pay negotiations, the protection of public services, jobs and industry, and greater tax fairness through higher taxes on large fortunes.
Authorities have sought to lower tensions after riots and looting on 17 October caught security forces off guard, leaving damaged shops and public buildings across the country. “We are extremely vigilant because it is out of the question to relive October 17,” government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.
Around 70,000 police will be deployed nationwide, according to BFM TV, while the domestic intelligence service expects between 500,000 and 700,000 people to join demonstrations outside Paris. The Education Ministry said 17.5% of public primary school teachers were expected to strike, and unions warned of likely disruption to rail and public transport, with SNCF expecting service problems especially in the Paris region. Workers at refineries across the country have been called on to halt production, and power unions are also expected to join the strike.
Macron convened a defence and security meeting on Wednesday ahead of the protests, underlining how a movement that began with student anger over deteriorating school conditions and concerns about young people’s futures has grown into a broader challenge to his government, five months before a presidential election.
The turnout figures are estimates published ahead of the marches and have not yet been confirmed. Protests last Saturday were generally peaceful, with some clashes on the fringes, but the political atmosphere remains tense, with opposition parties seeking to capitalise on public frustration over living standards.
Sources: Reuters, “France braces for fresh protests as Macron seeks to prevent repeat of October unrest”, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-braces-fresh-protests-macron-seeks-prevent-repeat-october-unrest-2026-11-05/ ; Le Monde, “French students, unions and Yellow Vest protestors bet on common front in new strike”, https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/11/05/french-students-unions-and-yellow-vest-protestors-bet-on-common-front-in-new-strike_6772570_5.html
