France Rocked By Mass Strike Of Workers, Students Block School Doors

JAKARTA - A mass strike was carried out by teachers, train drivers, pharmacists, and hospital staff in France. Meanwhile, teenagers blocked school doors, as part of a full-day protest against the threat of budget cuts.

Unions demanded that the government's fiscal plan be overturned, greater spending on public services, higher taxes for the rich and demanding policy cancellations related to pension regulations.

In Paris, many metro lines will be operationally suspended for most of the day, except during morning and evening peak hours. Students gathered to block entrances to several schools.

"Block your high school to fight savings," reads a banner unfurled by a student in front of SMA.

This social riot came as President Emmanuel Macron and the newly appointed Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, faced a political crisis and pressure to control finances in the country with the second-largest economy in the euro zone.

As reported by Reuters on Thursday, September 18, a Ministry of Home Affairs source said as many as 800,000 people were expected to participate in the strike and protest.

"The workers we represent are angry with," the country's main union said in a joint statement rejecting the "brutal" and "unfair" fiscal plans of the previous government.

France's budget deficit last year nearly doubled from the European Union's 3% ceiling, but although it wants to reduce it, Lecornu will face a political battle to garner parliamentary support for the 2026 budget.

Lecornu's predecessor, Francois Bayrou, was ousted by parliament last week for his plan to cut the budget by 44 billion euros.

The new prime minister has not said what he will do with Bayrou's plans, even though he has opened the door to compromise.

"We will continue to mobilize as long as there is no adequate response," said CGT union chairman Sophie Beret, after meeting with Lecornu earlier this week. "The budget will be decided on the streets," he stressed.