Over 170 protests planned across France as public sector workers demand salary increases and higher spending ahead of the 2027 budget. Firefighters join with separate Paris march; lycée blockades continue in multiple regions.
French civil servants launched a nationwide strike on Tuesday over stagnant wages and chronic underfunding of public services, with more than 170 demonstrations planned across the country ahead of the government's 2027 budget presentation.
Public sector unions are demanding significant salary increases and a reversal of years of austerity that has eroded purchasing power and degraded service delivery. The walkout coincides with the upcoming unveiling of the 2027 budget, which unions say must address structural shortfalls in health, education, and emergency services.
Firefighters joined the mobilization, staging a separate march of 5,000 to 10,000 personnel in Paris alongside the main procession expected to draw up to 40,000 participants, according to police estimates. The dual demonstrations underscore broadening discontent within essential services.
Simultaneous blockades of several lycées continued in multiple regions, extending student and teacher protests against staffing cuts and deteriorating conditions. The coordinated actions represent one of the largest public sector mobilizations in recent years.
The strikes pose a direct challenge to President Emmanuel Macron's government as it prepares a budget aimed at deficit reduction while facing mounting pressure to boost public investment. Negotiations with union federations remain deadlocked over the scale and timing of proposed raises.
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