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French unions march and strike in test for Macron

Published

Unions led by the CGT called nationwide protests and a public sector strike in France on Thursday over living costs, public services and education. Authorities will deploy around 70,000 police, and the strike had cut nuclear output by 2.4GW early on Thursday.

The domestic intelligence service expects 500,000 to 700,000 people to join demonstrations outside Paris. Student groups back the unions. The education ministry expects 17.5% of public primary school teachers to strike.

CGT head Sophie Binet told LCI TV before the protests that people needed to turn out in big numbers. Irma de Banville, a 19-year-old student in Paris, said many people fear police violence.

The French government has defended police tactics, but said it would investigate any abuses. An official close to President Emmanuel Macron said the aim in the coming weeks is to calm the unrest and hold the presidential election, five months away, in the calmest possible conditions.

Key facts

Who
Emmanuel Macron (President of France); Sophie Binet (CGT head); Irma de Banville (19-year-old student in Paris); CGT (left-wing trade union, called the mobilisation)
What
Trade unions including the CGT, backed by student groups, called nationwide protests and a public sector strike over living costs, public services and education. Authorities deployed around 70,000 police, and the strike had already reduced France's nuclear output by 2.4GW early on Thursday.
When
5 November 2026
Where
France, Paris
Status
Reported

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