Thousands of people took to the streets across France on Thursday in a “black day” of demonstrations called by trade unions against planned social spending cuts in the 2026 budget and President Emmanuel Macron’s fiscal policies.

Authorities expect a massive turnout of up to 900,000 protesters nationwide—five times more than the September 10 demonstrations and comparable to the mobilizations against the pension reform of 2023.

Regional train services and public transportation were limited or halted, many schools remained closed, and most pharmacies shut their doors. The strike’s impact was felt from the early morning hours.

“We are tired of being taxed relentlessly,” said Samuel Gaillard, a 58-year-old sanitation worker and member of the CGT union in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France. He added that many struggle to make ends meet “by the 15th of the month.”

As with the September 10 protests, organized on social media under the slogan “Let’s block everything,” authorities deployed a large security force of 80,000 police officers and gendarmes to prevent “blockades.”

“We will be uncompromising,” Interior Minister Bruno Retailleu warned, estimating that between 5,000 and 8,000 “dangerous individuals” could “cause disorder” during the demonstrations.

According to authorities, about 8,000 protesters participated in early actions before 10:00 a.m. local time (08:00 GMT), including blocking bus depots, roads, and high schools. Police reported more than 50 arrests.

Union Pressure

The protests were triggered by former Prime Minister François Bayrou’s 2026 budget plan, which called for €44 billion ($51.9 billion) in cuts and the elimination of two public holidays.

Although Parliament voted down his government, and his successor, Sébastien Lecornu, announced a new plan that will not include eliminating holidays, unions pressed ahead with the mobilization.

“The budget will be decided in the streets,” CGT leader Sophie Binet declared earlier this week.

In addition to opposing Bayrou’s proposed cuts, unions are demanding the repeal of the unpopular 2023 pension reform, greater fiscal justice, and increased funding for public services.

A poll by Elabe published Wednesday showed that 56% of French citizens support the protests.

Since the “yellow vest” movement of 2018–2019, which was sparked by rising fuel prices, discontent with Macron’s fiscal and social policies has remained a constant in France.

In 2023, more than one million people demonstrated against raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. Macron forced the measure through by decree despite public opposition, union resistance, and the lack of a parliamentary majority.

Fiscal Demands

The current protests also carry a demand for greater “fiscal justice,” symbolized by the so-called “Zucman tax”—a proposed 2% annual levy on wealth exceeding €100 million ($118 million).

Although the center-right prime minister has rejected the measure—opposed by conservatives in government, business leaders, and the far right—he said he was “willing” to work on issues of “fiscal justice.”

Lecornu, lacking a parliamentary majority, continues to negotiate with political parties to shape a 2026 budget that will not meet the same fate as his two predecessors’ plans. So far, he has not disclosed its key elements.

Time, however, is running short. The government must present the budget to Parliament by mid-October, under pressure to reduce the deficit—5.8% of GDP in 2024—and the public debt, which stands at 114% of GDP.

On Friday, credit rating agency Fitch downgraded France’s sovereign debt rating to “A+” with a stable outlook, citing persistent political instability and budgetary uncertainty.