France protests widen as tens of thousands of workers flood streets in anti government demonstrations over wages
Different estimates of turnout
Unions and public employees from several sectors joined Thursday’s demonstrations. Participants included government workers, teachers and transport employees, who left work to protest economic conditions. The General Confederation of Labour, one of France’s major unions, said about 1.6 million people took to the streets. France’s Interior Ministry gave a lower estimate of roughly 600,000.
Protests spread beyond students
The movement soon widened and drew greater public support. Local surveys found that nearly six in 10 people in France backed the protests.
Clashes and fires reported
Several demonstrations saw clashes, and some rallies ended with police using tear gas to disperse protesters. The unrest included fires in Lyon and Paris. Protesters set a car ablaze in Lyon, in central France, and burned objects in the streets of Paris.
Calls to keep protesting
Binet urged supporters to continue demonstrating and accused President Emmanuel Macron of ignoring people’s calls for help. Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko told CBS News Macron was “incapable of bringing answers.” Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called for a meeting with unions on Monday. Despite that, another protest is scheduled for Saturday.
Key points
- Workers and union members protested low wages and the high cost of living across France.
- The union estimated turnout at 1.6 million; the Interior Ministry estimated about 600,000.
- The demonstrations began with students in Paris and later gained wider public support.
- Another protest is scheduled for Saturday, after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called for union talks.