Hundreds of thousands of workers are expected to take part in strike action across France on Thursday, after trade unions called for a day of protests against budget cuts.
The interior ministry said between 600,000 and 900,000 people could attend demonstrations nationwide, prompting the deployment of 80,000 police officers.
The strikes come barely a week after Sébastien Lecornu, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, was appointed prime minister following the toppling of François Bayrou's government.
Public transport was heavily disrupted on Thursday morning, with many metro lines in Paris reported shut, while protesters blocked roads and streets in major cities across France.
Students gathered in front of schools and universities in the capital and beyond, blocking entrances and chanting slogans. Around a third of teachers walked out.
Pharmacists also joined the strike, with 98% of pharmacies expected to remain closed.
Unions are advocating for increased spending on public services, higher taxes on the wealthy, and the cancellation of the budget cuts proposed by the short-lived Bayrou government.
Sophie Binet, leader of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), stated, We need to be out in force... to force the government and the employers to put an end to policies that only serve the richest. ”
By mid-morning, authorities reported 58 arrests, with Bruno Retailleau, the outgoing interior minister, announcing a firm stance against any unrest.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the left-wing party France Unbowed (LFI), urged attendees to protest peacefully, warning that any violence would play into the hands of the government.
As protests unfold, Laurie Nunez, the Paris prosecutor, expressed concerns about potential disruptions by extremist groups, suggesting shops in sensitive areas close for safety.
The protests follow previous demonstrations from around 200,000 attendees organized by the grassroots movement Bloquons Tout (Let's Block Everything)”, which also caused significant disruptions.
Bayrou's budget proposal, which aimed for €44 billion in cuts to reduce France's high public debt, was met with widespread dissatisfaction, leading to his removal after losing a confidence vote.
New Prime Minister Lecornu now faces a challenging political landscape, with a hung parliament complicating budget negotiations as public debt reaches alarming levels, averaging nearly €50,000 per citizen.
