French unions strike, demand end to austerity and Macron's spending cuts

"Trade unions in France are carrying out another day of widespread nationwide strikes, heaping pressure on the newly appointed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to reverse an existing austerity programme and halt any new public spending cuts. France's Ministry of the Interior said approximately 85,000 people had turned out across the country by midday on Thursday, excluding Paris a figure lower than a strike two weeks earlier, which drew much larger crowds, indicating lower overall turnout."

"Police said 500,000 people attended the last demonstrations, while trade unions put the figure at one million. The protests led to clashes across France's cities between the demonstrators and police, with the latter firing tear gas and arresting about 140 people across the country. France deployed some 76,000 police officers, including gendarmes across the country for the protests, outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Thursday, including 5,000 in Paris, where between 20,000 and 40,000 people are expected to take to the streets."

"Two major strikes organised by trade unions have taken place this month and have been triggered by widespread opposition to an austerity budget that the country's leadership has been trying to push through parliament. President Emmanuel Macron's most recent prime minister, Francois Bayrou, became a political casualty earlier this year of an unpopular budget that would have imposed 44 billion euros ($52bn) in cuts to local government spending and health, along with a freeze on government expenditure, to bring Paris's growing deficit"

Trade unions staged another nationwide day of strikes in France, pressing Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to reverse an austerity programme and stop further public spending cuts. The Interior Ministry reported roughly 85,000 people had turned out by midday, excluding Paris, a lower figure than a strike two weeks earlier. Police and unions offered differing counts for prior demonstrations, with police saying 500,000 and unions claiming one million. Protests sparked clashes with police, who used tear gas and made about 140 arrests. Authorities mobilized about 76,000 officers and expected around 250 rallies nationwide. The strikes oppose a proposed €44bn cut package aimed at reducing deficits.

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