Thousands of people protest against budget cuts. Mobilization affects trains, subway, schools and services throughout the country.
France lives this Thursday a mass strike that paralyzes Transportation, schools and public services. Hundreds of thousands of citizens take to the streets to protest after the government budget cuts. Eight unions summoned manifestations and blockages. Meanwhile, the authorities deploy thousands of police to contain mobilization and prevent incidents.
The subway from Paris and the trains of vania work with reduced capacitywhile local ters line (regional trains) work only 60%. In education, A third of primary school teachers and almost half of high school staff are on strike, according to the unions.
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Protests and detainees
So far, they were recorded 58 arrests throughout the country, including 11 in Paris during early morning clashes. At 11:00, the authorities counted More than 230 protest actionswhich included locks of collective and school deposits, affecting mobility and generating delays in several essential services.
In Martinica, 150,000 inhabitants were temporarily without water by the deliberate closure of valves at a distribution point, qualified as sabotage. Security forces mobilized 80,000 police and gendarmes throughout the country. Laurent Nuñez warned about the possible infiltration of extreme left groups and recommended the shops to protect their businesses.
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Economic context and unpopular measures
Last year’s deficit reached 5.8% of GDP, almost double the EU limit, while the national debt exceeds the 3.3 billion euros. The reforms include the review of unemployment benefits, disconnection of inflation pensions and increased medical expenses. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu (recently assumed) ruled out the two holiday eliminationbut maintains the rest of the cuts.
Source: Ambito
