Paris, 06 November (H.S.): Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across France on Thursday to protest against the government of President Emmanuel Macron, voicing opposition to rising living costs, low wages, cuts in education funding and the deteriorating state of public services. Students and teachers also joined the nationwide strike. While the government estimated that around 600,000 people had participated in the demonstrations, trade unions claimed that nearly 1.6 million workers, students and teachers had taken to the streets.

According to a CNN report, the situation remained tense in several parts of the country, particularly in the capital, Paris. On Thursday night, protesters staged a torchlight procession near Place de la Nation and set off red flares, following which tensions escalated. Violent clashes broke out between police and demonstrators, prompting security personnel to fire tear-gas shells to disperse the crowds. Cars were set ablaze in Lyon, while security forces in Bordeaux also resorted to tear gas to bring protesters under control.

More than 70,000 police personnel have been deployed across France to maintain law and order. Security forces have also been provided with armoured vehicles, drones and helicopters to deal with any escalation. More than 448 protesters have been arrested so far, while dozens of police personnel have sustained injuries in the violence.

Higher wages are among the principal demands of the protesters. The current minimum wage stands at 12.31 euros per hour, equivalent to approximately Rs. 1,293.90. Demonstrators are demanding an increase in this rate. They have also called for a monthly increase of at least 100 euros, or approximately Rs. 10,511, in the net salaries of all employees. In France, net salary refers to the amount an employee actually receives in their bank account after deductions for social contributions and income tax.

The protesters have also demanded reforms to the taxation system. They want the government to reduce the tax burden amid soaring fuel prices. Diesel prices have reportedly reached a record 2.37 euros per litre, equivalent to approximately Rs. 249.11, amid the Iran war and the wider global crisis. They have further demanded an immediate halt to cuts in public funding for schools, universities and hospitals.

As the situation deteriorated, several sections of the iconic Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum in Paris were closed. Nearly one-third of high schools across the country were either completely shut or partially affected. Students blocked roads at several locations, while public transport services were severely disrupted. Responding to the protesters’ call, workers at oil refineries halted operations, while disruptions at nuclear power plants reportedly forced France to import electricity.

The Yellow Vests coordination group has called for blockades at the local level. A major demonstration has also been called for November 7 at Place de la Concorde in Paris. In view of the mounting pressure, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has convened an emergency meeting with trade unions and employers’ organisations for Monday.

According to government estimates, approximately 575,000 people participated in demonstrations across France on Thursday. What began as a relatively small-scale strike on October 17 has since grown into a major nationwide movement. A large number of employees have joined the industrial action, resulting in significant staff shortages in schools, universities and railway services, as well as to some extent in hospitals.

The movement has evolved into a broad-based protest bringing together trade unions and the Yellow Vests, with each group raising its own concerns. However, they have found common ground in their opposition to the rising cost of living, what they describe as government inaction, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, and the need for far-reaching social and political change.

According to the French Interior Ministry, no major incidents were reported on Thursday, although minor clashes occurred between police and groups of protesters in several cities, including Rennes, Nantes, Lyon and Marseille. Police detained 448 people. In Lyon, officers fired tear-gas shells and used batons against a group of demonstrators, several of whom had their faces covered. Dozens of protesters were also arrested in Rennes.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray said a school near Toulouse had been deliberately set on fire. The Interior Ministry reported that firefighters had responded to 86 fire-related incidents across the country. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police and security forces had carried out their duties with courage and determination.

Student groups participating in the movement are demanding an increase of more than 10 billion dollars in the education budget, an investment of 1.5 billion dollars in school infrastructure and the creation of an additional 250,000 seats in universities. Meanwhile, the Yellow Vests movement, whose members are identified by the high-visibility yellow jackets they wear, is demanding the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron and his government, along with the introduction of a new constitutional process.

CNN's assessment is that none of these demands is likely to be met easily. Protesters have indicated that they intend to continue their demonstrations through Christmas and possibly until France’s presidential election next spring. The unrest in France is also unfolding against a backdrop of labour and public discontent in other parts of Europe, including Spain, Italy, Portugal and Belgium.

Reporting cross-checked against CNN, the French Interior Ministry’s figures as reported by Anadolu Agency, and other current coverage. The government’s estimate was 575,000 participants, while the CGT trade union put the figure at approximately 1.6 million.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar