Live: France braces for nationwide strikes in fresh test for Macron’s policies
Özet haber: Strikes and demonstrations are planned across France on Thursday, with trade unions urging the government to support households struggling with rising living costs. The nationwide action follows weeks of social unrest. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
French authorities have sought to lower tensions after riots and looting on October 17 caught security forces off guard, leaving damaged shops and public buildings across the country and fuelling criticism of Macron's handling of the crisis."
We are extremely vigilant because it is out of the question to relive October 17," government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told a press conference after Wednesday's cabinet meeting. Around 70,000 police have been deployed nationwide with the domestic intelligence service expecting between 500,000 and 700,000 people to join demonstrations outside Paris, it said.
Macron convened a defence and security meeting on Wednesday ahead of the protests, underlining how a movement that began with student anger over deteriorating school conditions and concerns about opportunities for young people has evolved into a broader challenge to his government.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to march through French cities and public workers to strike, in a fresh test for President Emmanuel Macron after weeks of unrest that have rattled his government and dominated the agenda five months ahead of a presidential election.
The mobilisation, called by trade unions including the left-wing CGT and backed by student groups, comes after demonstrations over living costs, public services and education triggered the worst civil unrest France has seen in years.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of France's nationwide strikes.
Kaynak: France 24 · Özgün metin İngilizcedir.
