France is preparing for a new wave of nationwide strikes and protests as major trade unions escalate pressure on the government over its proposed 2026 budget and long-contested pension reforms.
The intersyndicale coalition—bringing together the country’s eight largest unions—has called for coordinated action on October 2, following mass demonstrations earlier in September. The strikes are expected to disrupt key sectors, including transport, education and healthcare, with rail, metro and bus services in Paris and across the regions likely to face severe delays and cancellations.
Union leaders say the government has failed to address concerns raised during recent negotiations with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, particularly over austerity measures and the 2023 pension reform that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64. “The Prime Minister has not provided any clear response to the workers’ expectations,” said CFDT leader Marylise Léon, describing the talks as a “missed opportunity”.
Authorities estimate that hundreds of thousands could join the demonstrations, echoing the scale of the September 18 protests, when between 500,000 and one million people took to the streets nationwide. Interior officials have warned of potential unrest, with tens of thousands of police officers expected to be deployed.
Political parties on the left, including the Socialists and La France Insoumise, have pledged support for the strikes, framing them as a broader challenge to government austerity policies. Analysts caution that while repeated strike days can intensify pressure on the government, they also risk losing momentum if workers cannot sustain prolonged walkouts.
With public frustration mounting, the October 2 action is shaping up as a critical test for both the unions’ ability to mobilize and the government’s capacity to maintain control in the face of widening social discontent.
Connexion France – “French unions call for new round of strike action on October 2”
Tempo – “France Braces for Mass Protests”
