France has been rocked by day of chaos and disruption, with hundreds of thousands of people joining a nationwide strike. Trade unions in the country called for a day of protests against budget cuts, as France continues to be plagued by political turmoil.
Between 600,000 and 900,000 people are thought to have attended the anti-government demonstrations, according to France’s Interior Ministry. Officials said they deployed 80,000 police officers across the country in response to the protests. Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Lyon and Nantes, as tensions reached boiling point.
Roads and streets have reportedly been blocked by protesters in other major cities across France.
Major disruptions to public transport have been reported, with many metro lines in Paris said to be closed.
Students also gathered in front of their schools and universities in the capital and beyond, chanting slogans and blocking entrances. Around a third of teachers joined their students in taking strike action, boycotting classes.
Pharmacists are also taking part, with 98% of pharmacies expected to stay closed today, Thursday, September 18.
French media are reporting that police had detained more than 110 people by mid-afternoon.
Unions are demanding for more spending on public services, higher taxes on the wealthy and for the budget cuts outlined by the previous government to be scrapped.
Sophie Binet, the leader of one of France’s major trade union groups, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), said: “We need to be out in force, that’s how we gather strength to keep fighting.
“We need to force the government and the employers to put an end to policies that only serve the richest.”
France’s previous government, under Francois Bayrou, proposed a package of cuts worth €44 billion (£38bn) in an attempt to reduce the country’s massive debt.
However, the former prime minister lost a vote of confidence in Parliament over his Budget plans, leading to another political crisis in France.