Beleaguered French President Emmanuel Macron has been told to brace for more mayhem, with a senior police officer warning Thursday’s national strikes have the potential to bring more serious violence to the streets of Paris. Intelligence suggests hundreds, possibly thousands, of radicals plan to infiltrate protests, escalating tensions over austerity measures that have already destabilised Mr Macron’s government, claimed Paris Police Prefect Laurent Nunez.
Mr Nunez voiced grave concern about extremists aiming to “fight and smash” during the demonstrations, urging shopkeepers to close and protect their storefronts. Outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau estimated 5,000 to 10,000 individuals could seek confrontation, driven by “anti-police hatred,” describing the day as “hybrid” with risks of early blockades and sabotage by ultra-left groups. Authorities are deploying 80,000 police and gendarmes across the nation, including 6,000 in Paris, with armoured vehicles and water cannons, a scale not seen since the 2019 Yellow Vests protests.
Mr Retailleau has urged parents to keep minors away after youths joined the September 10 Bloquons Tout (Block Eveything) demonstrations which likewise caused chaos.
The strikes, led by eight major unions including CGT, CFDT, and FO, mark their first united front since June 2023’s pension reform clashes.
Protesters oppose £36.7 billion in 2026 budget cuts, including 3,000 public sector job freezes, wage caps, and reduced benefits, introduced under former Prime Minister François Bayrou.
Mr Bayrou’s minority government collapsed on September 8 after a no-confidence vote, deepening France’s political and economic crisis.
New Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, appointed the following day, has not ruled out the proposed measures, further inflaming public anger.
The cuts, aimed at curbing a 5.4% GDP deficit, have prompted accusations that the French government is neglecting workers’ rights, with unions demanding fairer taxation and restored funding.
Intelligence estimates there will be 600,000 to 900,000 demonstrators across 250 rallies, with 50,000 to 100,000 expected in Paris starting at Place de la Bastille at 2pm. Other major rallies are set for Marseille at 10.30am and Lyon at 11am.
Transport disruption is likely to be severe: RATP reports normal service only on automated Metro lines 1, 4, and 14, with others limited to peak hours at one in three or four trains.
SNCF expects 9 in 10 high-speed TGV trains to run but only half of the intercities and three in five regional trains. Air traffic controllers delayed action to October, but airlines warn of delays.
Schools face closures with one-third of primary teachers striking, and hospitals will prioritise emergencies. Pharmacies, with 98% expected to close, protest generic drug pay cuts. Energy workers plan rolling strikes at nuclear and gas facilities, risking power supply disruptions.
CGT rail leader Thierry Nier called the action a response to “deep anger” over austerity, warning of further escalation. CFDT’s Marylise Leon demanded taxing high earners, criticising Mr Lecornu’s vague promises. Lecornu met opposition leaders on Wednesday, but Socialist Olivier Faure reported no clear policy shifts, hinting at another censure motion.
The unrest compounds Macron’s challenges, with France’s deficit threatening eurozone stability and farmers planning additional protests on September 26.
Some analysts have suggested that violent clashes could force concessions or intensify calls for Mr Macron’s resignation, as his approval ratings near historic lows.
