Overview
- About 195,000 people joined more than 250 marches across France, according to the Interior Ministry, a lower turnout than the September 18 mobilization.
- The government deployed 76,000 police and gendarmes, with limited disruption reported, including a 6.42% school strike rate and possible delays on Paris RER lines C, D and E.
- Union leader Sophie Binet said Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu sent a letter proposing certain pension adjustments and offered to meet, proposals the unions deem insufficient.
- Lecornu lacks a stable majority for the 2026 budget and is courting votes, with the Socialists set to meet him Friday after warning they could support a no-confidence motion without major changes.
- Protest actions included student blockades in Bordeaux and Montpellier, attempted road disruption near Lyon with arrests, and large marches in cities such as Marseille and Paris.