France gears up for strikes and protests as unions promise national mobilisation

ByPaul Kirby Europe digital editor. 5 November 2026, 09: 34 GMT.

Key points

• According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has, 70, 000 police and gendarmes are being deployed, vowing "an extremely firm response" to any potential outbreaks of violence.
• Some 81 lycées – high schools that cater for 15-18 year-olds – were shut on Thursday morning, according to the education ministry.
• Sizeable numbers are anticipated on the streets, especially in the capital, and Léon noted she would be happy if 800, 000 residents turned out.
• More than 250 separate actions are planned for 5 November, with some disruption documented in schools, hospitals and public transport.
• Ministers have additionally promised school students to reform the unpopular Parcoursup university admissions platform and eventually replace it by 2028.

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are projected to take part in marches throughout France as five unions join strikes and protests in a national day of action.

In practice, the protests began in September with high school students complaining regarding poor conditions and resources in education, but have spread to include the so-called "yellow-vest" movement and workers.

Authorities expect 500, 000 to 700, 000 demonstrators to join marches, with tens of thousands more in Paris alone, in a day billed by one union leader as "a great day of convergence".

Notably, the five unions have combined forces throughout the public and private sector, with demands for higher wages to combat the cost of living and protected public services.

Workers have additionally been asked to halt production at oil refineries, and France is anticipated to import more electricity than it produces on Thursday since of disruption at nuclear plants.

Notably, a coalition of unions has pressed workers, pensioners and young residents to join Thursday's day of strikes to intensify pressure on the administration. In particular they are seeking a rise in the minimum wage, or Smic. It is at present €12.31 (£10) an hour.

In practice, the head of the CFDT union, Marylise Léon, complained that it was not just the minimum wage that needed to growth: "We are asking for a net increase of €100 a month."

For context, the administration has sought to appease public anger over rising costs, bringing down the cost of fuel by releasing 10 million barrels of diesel from strategic reserves. Ministers have additionally promised school students to reform the unpopular Parcoursup university admissions platform and eventually replace it by 2028.

Some 81 lycées – high schools that cater for 15-18 year-olds – were shut on Thursday morning, according to the education ministry. It continued that concerning 17.5% of primary schools too were affected by the strikes.

One union leader Sophie Binet. This person called it the "great day of convergence", continued: "The time has come to take the mobilisation to the next level; the strike must take over."

Meanwhile, a revived gilets jaunes (yellow-vest) movement that staged a revolt against the high cost of living a number of years ago has called on further blockades and protests on Friday and Saturday too.

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Since of violence that broke out in towns and cities on 17 October and led to more than 2, 000 stores being looted and historic buildings being set on fire, union leaders have complained that recent marches have been kept away from the centre of Paris.

Thursday's march will be allowed through the centre of Paris, although not along the route proposed by the unions between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Concorde. It would have taken protesters near the National Assembly, the Élysée Palace, and the prime minister's residence at Hôtel Matignon.

Instead, the march is due to follow another central route from Place de la République to Place de la Nation. The CFDT union complained that getting court approval for the route only on Wednesday evening created organising the march more challenging.

For context, the last major mobilisation at the weekend passed off with relatively little violence, and the interior minister stated the police deployment would be on a similar scale on Thursday. Nuñez has spoken of three potential risks on Thursday, from radical left "black blocs" groups and looting to wildcat marches without union authorisation.

In short, france gears up for strikes and protests as unions promise national mobilisation is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.