In Paris, Police stop protesters block to the Helene Boucher high school on 10 September. Image : Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto/Getty Images via CNN.
(The Post News)– Across France today, 280,000 people joined protest demonstrations against government budget cuts, with police reporting 141 arrests amid widespread clashes.
Over eight trade union groups organized over 230 protest demonstrations in Paris, Lyon, Lille, and Marseille to protest against the newest government bill reforms. The reforms call for freezing pension and welfare payments, the loss of two public holidays, and increased healthcare costs—policies critics argue would hurt ordinary citizens while the rich and corporations, as economist Gabriel Zucman notes, contribute relatively little in income tax.
One protester said he is mobilizing because the current government “doesn’t listen,” “robs fellow citizens,” and continues to act contrary to the needs of the people. Alandre explains that these conditions are unjust to the average citizen and make it extremely hard for citizens to pursue future prospects in a society where people will struggle to afford basics like food.
The shutdown disrupted life across France: teachers staged walkouts, university entrances were blocked, and nearly 40% of Paris rail services were suspended. Authorities deployed 80,000 police officers to contain the escalating protests.
France’s Populace Reject the Bill
Although newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu scrapped the proposal to eliminate two public holidays, protesters insist the concession is not enough. They are demanding a full reversal of austerity reforms, with particular focus on higher taxes for the wealthy.
Lecornu, who succeeded François Bayrou, is scheduled to address parliament on October 2.
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