Photos: French students protest, public workers strike before budget cuts

What the report says

French students and public-sector workers staged coordinated protests across France on Tuesday against planned budget cuts, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting based on AP and Reuters. The action came as the government prepared to unveil its draft 2027 budget, and as President Emmanuel Macron’s administration faced widespread public dissatisfaction ahead of next year’s presidential election.

The article says high school blockades and demonstrations affected more than 330 schools, with unrest reported in Paris, Lille, Nantes, Marseille, Bordeaux and Lyon. Police made about 40 arrests, and 10 people, including students and staff, were injured. In some places, protesters set bins on fire, blocked school entrances and clashed with police, who used tear gas in response.

Public workers also joined the strike, including firefighters who said their work had exposed gaps in resources and funding. The Education Ministry said roughly 11 percent of teachers and school staff participated, while turnout among other civil servants was lower. Civil aviation officials warned of possible airport disruption.

The protests matter because they reflect resistance to the government’s proposed spending restraint, including a reported freeze on state employees’ base pay as part of a broader savings plan. Al Jazeera reported that union leaders and some political figures argued the cuts would weaken public services, while the government faced pressure to justify its budget choices.