Civil servants strike and school students protest in France — Daily Maverick
In France on Tuesday, civil servants went on strike while high school students blocked school entrances, protesting planned budget cuts. The actions are taking place seven months before the presidential election and two days before the government presents its draft budget for 2027, Daily Maverick reports.
At the time of publication, there were no official figures on the number of teachers and other civil servants who joined the strike. Limited disruptions to public transport were reported in the morning. Healthcare workers were expected to join 170 actions across the country, while France's aviation regulator warned of possible flight disruptions at some airports.
School blockades and clashes
Student protests have intensified in recent days. Television footage showed rubbish bins burning near a school in Lille. The newspaper Le Progres reported clashes between police and students near a school in Lyon, as well as tensions near educational institutions in Nice.
French media reported that entrances to about one in every ten high schools in Paris were blocked. Near Arago school, students, some of whom covered their faces, sat and stood on rubbish bins, blocking the entrance. A banner calling for a reduced police presence and increased funding was placed in front of Hélène-Boucher school.
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Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called the protests near schools irresponsible, saying that nothing justified putting students, school staff or police officers at risk. At the same time, he acknowledged that the problems of high schools need to be heard and addressed.
Government savings
The government is planning a savings programme worth €54 billion. Weaker-than-forecast growth in the French economy is expected to make it more difficult for the minority government to pass the 2027 budget and contain the budget deficit.
Teachers, firefighters and other public-sector workers are demanding better working conditions and higher wages. Professional firefighters also planned to take part in marches after major summer wildfires exposed a lack of resources in the service. The government has already presented measures to support households amid rising energy prices caused by the war with Iran, but this has not eased dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron and his government.
