France faces nationwide strikes as unions demand wage increases

Unions warn of recession and rising living costs

France’s main unions warned in a joint statement that the country faces a recession as layoff plans multiply. Union members stated, "Fuel, food products, rent, gas, electricity … everything’s going up except wages and pensions".

Public services face significant disruptions, including the closure of the Eiffel Tower on Thursday. Power-union workers at the state-owned utility EDF also joined the strike, following a mid-September action that reduced electricity supply and cut delivery capacity at the Dunkirk LNG terminal.

Students and Yellow Vests join the mobilization

The Yellow Vests movement and French high-school and university students joined the nationwide mobilization. These groups held a demonstration in Paris on 31 October 2026 to protest rising fuel prices and the cost of living.

Trade unions, including the left-wing CGT, called for the action to address public services, education, and living costs. Students reported that poor school conditions and uncertainty about their future are their primary concerns.

Unity wins”.

Security forces deploy as violence flares in cities

Authorities deployed 70,000 police officers nationwide to manage the demonstrations, according to BFM TV. Demonstrations and incidents occurred in several cities on Thursday.

Protesters in Lyon wore black, covered their faces, and shouted anti-police slogans. Demonstrations also took place in Marseille.

President Macron faces political test before election

The mobilization is a fresh test for President Emmanuel Macron five months before the presidential election.

President Macron is in his second term, is unpopular and is ineligible to run again. The upcoming election could see far-right candidate Marine Le Pen face hard-left rival Jean-Luc Mélenchon in a second-round runoff.

An official close to Macron said the goal is to restore order and hold the presidential election under the calmest possible conditions, noting that fewer high schools are blockaded this week than earlier in the crisis.

Authorities manage tensions following October unrest

Authorities are attempting to ease tensions after riots and looting on 17 October that damaged shops and public buildings.

Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said the state is "extremely vigilant" to avoid a repeat of the 17 October violence. The government defended police tactics but said any abuses would be investigated.

Last Saturday’s nationwide protests were largely peaceful, with only minor clashes on the fringes.

Public services face widespread disruption

Unions warned that rail and public-transport services could be disrupted.