©️BFMTV
Paris, September 17, 2025.- Paralysed transports, closed schools, pharmacies on strike: France is preparing to live, this Thursday, September 18, a nationwide mobilization against the 2026 budget and Emmanuel Macron's policy. The unions announce more than 220 demonstrations, with between 600,000 and 900,000 protesters expected, including up to 100,000 in Paris. The authorities are mobilizing 80,000 police officers and gendarmes in the face of the risk of spillovers.
The Régie autonome des transports parisiennes (RATP) plans a massive striker rate, up to 90% for metro drivers.
In National Education, one third of primary school teachers will be on strike, according to the Union Union Union – Union National Unitaire des Instituteurs, Teachers of Schools and PEGC (FSU-Snuipp), which denounces the lack of resources. Disruptions will also affect canteens and out-of-school receptions.
Nearly 90% of pharmacies will lower the curtain to protest the reduction of generic commercial discounts, which are considered to be threatening for the survival of pharmacies. The physiotherapists also call for the closure of their offices.
For the first time since June 2023, all the major trade unions (CGT, CFDT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, FSU and Solidaires) will be united in the streets. They denounce measures judged « brutal » : cuts in public services, wage freeze, unemployment insurance reform, increase in medical deductibles.
The government fears violence on the margins of the processions, especially in Paris. On the Bastille-Republic axis, Nation, traders and residents were invited to secure their windows. A total of 80,000 police and gendarmes will be mobilized, supported by armoured and water cannons.
W.A.
