France is preparing for a significant strike day, with trade unions demonstrating unity to urge Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to reconsider budget cuts and make changes concerning wages, pensions, and public services. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate in demonstrations across the country, affecting schools, rail, and air transport, and prompting the deployment of 80,000 police. This is the largest demonstration since 2023 when there were protests against raising the retirement age. Lecornu has low popularity ratings and faces political challenges in promoting a break from past politics. He must form a minority government, address union demands and avoid a budget being immediately rejected. Opposition parties including the Socialist party and the far-right National Rally are cautiously observing his next moves, with Fitch downgrading France’s credit rating last week due to concerns over political instability.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/18/france-strikes-day-sebastien-lecornu-emmanuel-macron-politics
France prepares for widespread protests amid political turmoil | France
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