Massive strikes and protests erupted again today (18/09) across France as trade unions, workers, pensioners, youth and students mobilized to pressure new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to reconsider budget cuts and intervene on wages, pensions and public services. Throughout the country, from major cities to small towns, demonstrations mobilized hundreds of thousands of protesters expressing their anger over rising poverty, worsening inequalities and the struggles of low-wage workers and others to make ends meet. Police have made 94 arrests across France as of Thursday afternoon, according to international media. As LeMonde reports, trade unions are celebrating Thursday’s strike mobilization, which is “already a success” and “a clear warning to the government”. France is in turmoil, with economic crisis looming and political instability affecting citizens’ lives, just eight days after the first warning mobilization with the slogan “Block Everything”, with over 500,000 people estimated to be on the streets. The massive strikes and demonstrations erupted across France as citizens protest budget cuts to the state budget, causing major disruptions. Trade unions calling for strikes are pushing for the abandonment of proposed budget cuts, freezing of social benefits and other austerity measures that, according to opponents, would further hurt the pockets of low-wage and middle-class workers and which have caused the collapse of successive governments trying to impose savings measures.
Police used tear gas to disperse protesters in France’s Marseille as at least 30 people were arrested during nationwide strikes against President Emmanuel Macron’s budget policies. pic.twitter.com/SYT6wxjaDw
— Radar Africa (@radarafricacom) September 18, 2025
Read more: France: Major strikes and demonstrations “paralyze” the country – 80,000 police deployed, Yellow Vests memories
Today’s announced strike affected public transportation, schools and hospitals, while demonstrators flooded major cities and clashed with police. It’s worth noting that the situation is not expected to calm down immediately as the budget measures – the new prime minister appointed by Emmanuel Macron, Sébastien Lecornu, has not committed to withdrawing them.
Nationwide protests and strikes in France drew about 800,000 people opposing pension cuts and reductions in public services.#France #Protests #Strikes #Europe #WorkersRights #TamadonNews pic.twitter.com/VhC9eWBa8N
— Tamadon News – English (@TamadonTV_EN) September 18, 2025
