A new wave of nationwide protests and strikes is set to begin in France on 5 November, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to take part. Trade unions are demanding pay rises, improvements to public services and increased funding for education. The authorities have mobilised 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, fearing a repeat of the large-scale unrest seen in mid-October. Workers in the energy sector have joined the strike, which has already affected electricity generation at nuclear power stations.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, 5 November, French trade unions are holding a nationwide day of protests and strikes. Public sector workers, teachers, railway workers, healthcare workers and students are taking part in the protests.<\/p>\n
According to forecasts by France\u2019s domestic intelligence service, just outside Paris Between 500,000 and 700,000 people may take part in the demonstration<\/strong>. Between 40,000 and 80,000 more participants are expected in the capital.<\/p>\n The Ministry of the Interior has reported that more than 220 street protests are being organised. Trade unions put the number of planned events at a higher figure \u2014 around 260 across the country.<\/p>\n The mobilisation was organised by France\u2019s largest trade union federations, notably the CGT and the CFDT. The protests are also supported by student and youth organisations<\/a>, who have played a prominent role in the protest movement over recent weeks.<\/p>\n The main demonstrations are scheduled to take place in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other major cities. Trade unions are calling on the authorities to review their economic and social policies, highlighting the rise in household expenditure and the decline in access to public services.<\/p>\n The figures given are preliminary estimates, not the final tally of participants.<\/p>\n The French authorities have organised a large-scale operation to ensure public safety. The Minister of the Interior Laurent N\u00fa\u00f1ez<\/strong> announced the mobilisation of 70,000 police officers and gendarmes.<\/p>\n Law enforcement officers will be deployed in major cities and areas where clashes, arson attacks and riots have previously occurred. Specialised equipment, drones and helicopters will be used to monitor the situation.<\/p>\n Particular attention is being paid to Paris. The local police prefecture has not approved the route proposed by the trade unions from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Concorde due to security concerns in the city centre. Instead, the authorities have authorised the main march to take place from Place de la R\u00e9publique to Place de la Nation.<\/p>\n Restrictions on demonstrations in the city centre have also been introduced in Lyon. Some of the routes were approved by the administrative courts.<\/p>\n The Minister of the Interior has warned that law enforcement officers will respond to acts of violence and attempts to damage property. According to French intelligence services, radical groups that have previously been involved in clashes with the police may join the demonstrations.<\/p>\n At the same time, the government emphasises that the main task of the security forces is to ensure that peaceful protests can take place.<\/p>\n The current wave of public discontent has its roots in the protests by school pupils and university students in September. Young people were protesting against a shortage of teachers, deteriorating learning conditions, insufficient funding for educational institutions and uncertain employment prospects.<\/p>\n Trade unions and workers from various sectors of the economy subsequently joined the protesters. Their demands gradually expanded to include higher wages and pensions, improved public services and measures to curb the cost of living.<\/p>\n The rise in the price of fuel and other essential goods against the backdrop of the international energy crisis caused particular discontent.<\/p>\n70,000 law enforcement officers were deployed to maintain public order<\/h2>\n
The protests began because of problems in schools, but spread across the whole country<\/h2>\n