France braces for nationwide strike Thursday as 70,000 police deployed for 500,000 to 700,000 protesters

Unions and students set the agenda

Five trade union organisations called a nationwide strike and demonstrations for Thursday, 5 November, a date they set on 5 October. Their demands include a higher minimum wage, the start of pay negotiations, protection of public services and employment, and taxation of large fortunes. Three more unions have since decided to join, and the student protests that began in secondary schools have spread to universities.

Students, private and public sector workers, parents and members of the Yellow Vests movement are all expected to take part. Before the day, most of the organisations involved predicted very high turnout, with particularly large numbers expected from education workers, refinery staff and railway employees. CGT general secretary Sophie Binet said on 2 November that the day should bring the movements together. CFDT general secretary Marylise Léon said the unions aim above all to press the government and employers over purchasing power.

Security response

Emmanuel Macron convened a defence and national security council at the Élysée Palace on Wednesday, 4 November, with the heads of the armed forces and the police. The council decided to deploy about 70,000 police officers across the country on Thursday. An intelligence report dated 3 November warned that the protests could mark a new threshold for violence, especially in city centres. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said disruptive behaviour would not be tolerated, and authorities expect a little over 220 public demonstrations, most of them declared by the intersyndical alliance. Security measures will mirror those used on 24 and 31 October.

Low estimate500,000

High estimate700,000

Low estimate

500000 people

High estimate

700000 people

Data from the article text

Civil society groups, including bar association representatives and a magistrates' union, accused the state of authoritarianism. They said the government was using an administrative arsenal to deter people from marching. As of Wednesday, authorities had not confirmed whether the central march in Paris would be allowed. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon ruled out reliving the disorder of 17 October and pointed to a business community she said is going through a very difficult period.

Background to the protest wave

The school protests grew after the autumn holidays, with mass student demonstrations on 17 October that were marked by violence and looting of shops. Nationwide mobilisations against the cost of living followed on 17, 24 and 31 October. The education ministry counted 41 secondary schools still blocked on 1 November, while students put the figure at 150. Around 300,000 people reportedly protested against rising living costs on Saturday, 31 October.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met students on 26 October and said he would meet them again within 15 days. Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou told deputies he hopes to announce measures to restart wage growth, without saying when, how or for whom. The government plans to present its package on Friday, 6 November, and has left open raising the minimum wage on 1 December instead of the usual 1 January.

Political stakes ahead of 2027

The unrest also colours the run-up to the presidential election, six months away and due in spring 2027. Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate who opposes immigration, leads the polls with 33 percent. Jean-Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed ranks second with between 16.8 and 18 percent. The next student meeting with the prime minister and the government's Friday package both fall in the week after the strike.