Over 250,000 people protest in France over wages

On Thursday, 5 November, France saw a new day of mass protests, during which over 250,000 people took to the streets, according to union data. Demonstrations took place simultaneously in 73 cities across the country.

Main demand: wage increases

March participants are demanding an increase in wage levels. Protest groups emphasise that only a concrete response from the government to their demands can halt further societal mobilisation.

Sophie Binet, general secretary of the CGT union, speaking before the start of the march in Paris, stated: «Послання таке: "ніщо нас не зупинить, єдине, що покладе край мобілізації, – це відповідь на наші вимоги. Чим довше уряд чекатиме, тим вищою буде ціна"» (The message is this: "nothing will stop us, the only thing that will end the mobilisation is a response to our demands. The longer the government waits, the higher the price will be").

Events in Paris and Nantes

In addition to officially announced rallies, unannounced gatherings were observed in the capital, the prosecutor's office reported. In cases of public order violations, police dispersed the protesters.

In the city of Nantes, the situation became tense: the demonstration ended in a confrontation with law enforcement officers near the university hospital. Police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades, after which they took action against those breaching the peace.