Hundreds of thousands protest across France over pay
Unions led nationwide strikes and marches in France on Thursday over wages and the cost of living, with the interior ministry counting about 575,000 marchers and police reporting 448 arrests.
Crowds filled streets across France on Thursday in a day of strikes and marches called by unions over pay and the rising cost of living.
The interior ministry estimated that about 575,000 people took part nationwide in 193 demonstrations, including about 65,000 in Paris. The CGT, one of the country's biggest unions, said the figure was nearer 1.6 million, including about 350,000 in Paris. Official and union counts of French demonstrations often differ widely.
Many teachers walked out. The education ministry said about 16% of teachers were on strike, and about a third of higher-education institutions were disrupted. Students and high-school activists joined the marches, which backed their demands as well as calls for a higher, dignified wage. Rail and some other public services were also affected.
There was trouble in several cities. Police used tear gas in Paris and Lyon as groups clashed with officers, and the ministry reported 448 arrests, 53 police officers injured and dozens of fire-related interventions. Separately, masked attackers damaged schools in cities including Toulouse, drawing condemnations from local officials.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he would convene a social conference with unions and employers on Monday. France has a long tradition of large street protests over pay and living costs, and unions have said they want the government to respond with concrete wage measures.
This summary is original reporting by tehworldnews, written after checking the facts against several major international news outlets and official statements.