France gears up for strikes and protests as unions promise national mobilisation

The protests began in September with high school students complaining about poor conditions and resources, but have spread to include yellow-vest workers

A protester is seen in Lille, France, Oct. 31, 2026. Around 320,000 people took part in a new round of protests across France on Saturday, according to French daily Le Monde which cited figures from the Interior Ministry /SEBASTIEN COURDJI/ /XINHUA

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are expected to take part in marches across France as five unions join strikes and protests in a national day of action.

Authorities expect 500,000 to 700,000 demonstrators to join marches, with tens of thousands more in Paris alone, in a day billed by one union leader as "a great day of convergence".

The five unions have combined forces across the public and private sector, with demands for higher wages to combat the cost of living and protected public services.

Source: The Star