French unions and protest groups urge more rallies and November 5 strike

Paris, France. Unions and protest movements in France appealed on Sunday for renewed demonstrations to keep pressure on the government, after a large security deployment helped limit disorder at rallies across the country on Saturday.

Further demonstrations and strike planned

Union leaders called for demonstrations the following Saturday and a countrywide strike on November 5. They said discontent over pay, the cost of living and public services had extended well beyond the student movement, which began mobilising last month.

Speaking to BFM TV, Murielle Guilbert, co-leader of the left-wing trade union federation Solidaires, said anger among workers, students, firefighters and other groups was coming together. She urged people to demonstrate again the following Saturday.

SUD Education, the teaching union, confirmed that it would participate in the October 31 protest. The larger CGT union said it would make its decision during the week.

The Yellow Vests also urged large demonstrations the following Saturday, with sit-ins planned outside the National Assembly and town halls. The grassroots movement began in 2018 in opposition to fuel taxes.

Activist Azelma Sigaux told reporters that anger was increasing across schools, universities, neighbourhoods, farms and workplaces, as well as on roundabouts.

Police deployment limits unrest

According to the Interior Ministry, Saturday’s marches drew 410,000 participants. Authorities mobilised 70,000 police officers, helping prevent a recurrence of the looting and vandalism that affected numerous cities on October 17.

Financial and political constraints

President Emmanuel Macron found resources in 2019 to lower fuel costs following pressure from the Yellow Vests.

Seven years later, pressure on public finances gives him limited scope to satisfy protesters’ demands. His term ends next April, while his centrist party lacks the majority required to approve major legislation.