Widespread civil unrest and student protests grip France ahead of budget announcement

France is experiencing a surge of civil unrest as students and public sector workers engage in widespread protests and strikes. Starting last week, high school students in the Île-de-France region and other cities like Lille, Lyon, Marseille, and Nantes began blockading schools to protest against curriculum issues, large class sizes, and teacher shortages. According to Education Minister Edouard Geoffroy, 76 people have been injured during these demonstrations, which have involved the burning of trash containers and police use of tear gas.

Simultaneously, public sector employees, including healthcare workers, railway staff, and an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 firefighters, launched a national strike to demand higher wages and improved working conditions. Eight unions have coordinated approximately 170 demonstrations across the country to pressure the government led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. These actions coincide with a general decline in the popularity of President Emmanuel Macron and his center-right government, occurring seven months before presidential elections.

The unrest reaches a critical point as the government prepares to present its 2027 draft budget this Thursday. This fiscal plan is expected to include significant spending cuts aimed at stabilizing public finances, a move that has further fueled political tension and public dissatisfaction across the nation.