Overview

• Authorities counted roughly 500,000 protesters across more than 250 demonstrations, while unions reported over one million participants.
• Public services were widely disrupted as many schools and nurseries closed, pharmacies largely shut, and about half of regional trains were canceled with Paris metro service curtailed.
• The government deployed up to 80,000 police and gendarmes; officials later reported 309 arrests nationwide, with localized clashes, tear gas use and several injuries.
• Demonstrators briefly entered the courtyard of the Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris as morning blockades targeted bus depots, major roads and some schools.
• The protests target a contested €44 billion savings drive advanced under François Bayrou, and come as France faces a debt ratio near 114% of GDP and a 5.8% deficit, with the new prime minister promising further talks but no alternative budget yet.