France general strike November 5 nationwide protests, Digi Mart USA News (France): Railway workers, students, teachers, employees, civil servants and retirees are called to mobilize this Thursday, November 5, against a backdrop of a social movement initiated by high school students.
The action is backed by an intersyndicale that brings together the CFDT and CGT, the two leading trade union forces in France, along with the FSU and UNSA, the two main organizations representing national education staff.
Key demands include defending purchasing power, supporting young people and improving public services. Two days before the mobilization, and after the release of strategic fuel stocks, the government highlighted a drop in fuel prices at thousands of service stations.
In Paris, unions had requested a departure from Place de la Bastille at 2 p.m., with an arrival at Place de la Concorde via Rue Saint-Antoine and Rue de Rivoli. That route passes near seats of power, including the National Assembly, while debates on the 2027 budget are ongoing.
However, the Paris police prefecture rejected that route, citing risks of public disorder. It authorized an alternative route between Place de la République and Place de la Nation, and also banned a demonstration near the Élysée Palace.
Several SNCF unions have called on railway workers to strike. Disruptions are expected on TER regional trains, Intercités trains, TGV high-speed trains and several RER lines.
In Paris, the metro is expected to operate normally.
In the Lyon metropolitan area, the Rhône prefecture has banned demonstrations across a large part of the city center, and numerous disruptions are expected on the TCL network, including several metro lines halted. Maritime traffic will also be disrupted at ports nationwide.
Air traffic controllers have also filed a strike notice. Actions are further planned on certain roads and highways, including a blockade of the A35 expected in Strasbourg.
The CGT has counted more than 200 demonstrations planned across France on Thursday. Security forces fear the formation of unauthorized “wild” processions.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that the security arrangement will be “exactly the same” as on October 31. In total, 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed nationwide, along with specialized units including RAID, GIGN and BRI.
The previous Saturday of demonstrations, October 31, drew 320,000 people nationwide, including 70,000 in Paris, according to the Interior Ministry. The youth intersyndicale claimed nearly 500,000 participants across France, including 200,000 in the capital.
Participation figures have declined from earlier episodes: the government counted 410,000 participants on Saturday, October 24, compared with 550,000 on October 17. Organizers, for their part, reported 800,000 demonstrators on each of those two days.
