Overview

• Trade unions publicly demanded answers following the 18 September mobilization that saw nationwide demonstrations.
• Attendance figures were disputed, with police reporting about 500,000 participants and the CGT claiming roughly 1 million.
• François Bayrou has fallen from power and Sébastien Lecornu has been presented as the nominee for prime minister, leaving the 2026 budget direction in question.
• Reports documented local strain from the unrest, including distressed shopkeepers in Rennes and difficulty finding open pharmacies.
• TF1 reported France is preparing to recognize the State of Palestine, as NATO said it intercepted three Russian aircraft over Estonia near allied airspace.