France hit by mass protests over austerity

Large-scale protests swept across several French cities on Thursday as eight major unions called for strikes and demonstrations against the government’s austerity budget plans.

The nationwide action included a general strike in key sectors such as transport, education, health, energy, and sanitation, with unions estimating that around 900,000 people could join the movement. The goal, they said, is to put maximum pressure on the government to abandon its austerity approach.

The demonstrations, which began on September 10, are set to continue, with opposition parties also backing the call.

In response, French authorities deployed more than 80,000 police officers, supported by drones, armored vehicles, and other equipment, to maintain control over the protests.