Protests against the French government’s policies have escalated, forcing the closure of the iconic Eiffel Tower. The demonstrations, which commenced on Thursday, saw significant participation, prompting the management of the Eiffel Tower to announce its temporary closure. The protesters, representing various sectors including labor, retirees, and students, converged to express their dissent against the government’s austerity measures.
The protests are a continuation of demonstrations that started the previous month. The French Interior Ministry estimated that 195,000 people took to the streets across France, with 24,000 in Paris. These actions have affected regional rail and healthcare services, although metro services in Paris remained largely unaffected. Many teachers and healthcare workers joined the protests.
The core demand of the protesters centers on the government’s budget plans for the next year, which includes cuts to public services. Trade unions are applying pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who has recently assumed office and is yet to reveal detailed budget proposals or make ministerial appointments. Union leaders are advocating for increased investment in public services, a reversal of the decision to raise the retirement age, and increased taxes on the wealthy.
During the prior month, over 500,000 people participated in marches across numerous French cities. Unions asserted that over a million workers and demonstrators were involved in those protests. The central focus of these protests is the proposed budget cuts in public services. The unions and the public are seeking to prevent cutbacks in sectors such as education, healthcare, and other vital public services, while suggesting higher taxes on the wealthy to reduce the strain on the general population. Additionally, protesters are demanding that the government retract its decision to increase the retirement age, emphasizing a preference for increased investment in social services instead of austerity.