France braces for mass protests as anti-Macron anger spills into streets

France braced for a high-stakes, nationwide day of protests on September 18, 2025, as unions and anti-government groups mobilized against President Emmanuel Macron’s budget measures. Officials warned of potential violence on the sidelines of sanctioned demonstrations and prepared for a robust security presence as crowds gathered across major cities, including Paris. The government has characterized the day as a hybrid event, combining lawful marches with the possibility of sabotage by ultra-left groups.

By early morning, authorities reported more than 40 arrests across the country, with police in Paris making up to 25 arrests by 10 a.m. as demonstrators targeted critical transport links such as the Metro and the ring road around the capital. In other cities, arrests included members of the Black Bloc anarchist movement, with officials fearing up to 1,000 individuals could converge on Paris alone for protests that organizers billed as a “day of rage.” Police stressed that many arrests were preventive, noting that some protesters arrived carrying weapons and were prepared for trouble. More than 250 rallies were planned nationwide, with turnout estimated to reach nearly one million.

The security operation was among the largest in recent memory, with about 80,000 police officers and gendarmes deployed nationwide, backed by 24 armored vehicles. Ten water cannons and surveillance drones augmented street presence as authorities sought to deter violence and protect key infrastructure. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned of a “very, very strong” mobilization, stressing the government’s intention to maintain order while allowing peaceful demonstrations.

The protests are aimed at the budget measures proposed for next year, which unions say would deepen austerity and hit workers, the unemployed, pensioners, and the sick hardest. One of the most controversial provisions would remove two public holidays, a proposal later reversed by the new prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, who said the U-turn on that specific measure was a victory for protesters. He has, however, left other elements of François Bayrou’s budget program on the table, including reforms to unemployment benefits and medical insurance costs that critics say would curb France’s debt burden.

Sophie Binet, head of the CGT union, condemned Macron’s policies as “unprecedented brutality” against vulnerable groups while acknowledging a first victory in scrapping the holiday cut. She warned that other components of Bayrou’s plan remained on the table and urged continued mobility for unions to press demands. In response, Lecornu announced an effort to calm tensions with concessions such as ending lifetime benefits for former prime ministers, a move aimed at reducing government spending by roughly £4 million, but the overall budget reform package remained contentious.

Transport disruptions were expected to be widespread, with one-third of teachers anticipated to walk out, nine in 10 pharmacies closed, and major interruptions across the Paris Metro. Only three driverless lines were projected to operate normally, while most high-speed trains were expected to run, but metro and suburban rail services faced significant delays. Air travel disruptions were expected to be limited after air-traffic controllers postponed a planned strike until October. These conditions reflected a country-wide strike wave that has already disrupted schools, hospitals, and public services as unions pressed demands linked to pay, pensions, and social protections amid a rising national debt, now cited as nearly £3 trillion (about 114% of GDP).

In Paris, the atmosphere remained volatile as police and protesters clashed on the streets around schools and transit hubs. Tear gas was deployed in some confrontations, and lines of demonstrators faced off with law enforcement outside educational institutions, including the Maurice Ravel high school in the 20th arrondissement, where students joined the protests in solidarity with broader labor actions. The day’s events carried symbolic weight for a country that has seen episodic bursts of street anger directed at Macron’s government since it began implementing austerity measures tied to a fragile economic outlook.

The government framed the protests as a critical moment for national budgeting and long-term financial health, arguing that reform was necessary to reduce debt and align with fiscal stability goals. Critics argued the plan would erode social protections and burden the most vulnerable. As the day progressed, observers noted a tense but orderly demonstration landscape in some cities, while other areas experienced heavier clashes and security responses. The evolving situation prompted ongoing updates from local authorities about traffic patterns, school closures, and hospital operations as the country navigated the largest coordinated protests in months.

The immediate outlook suggested continued disruption through the day, with authorities warning that violence could flare along the margins of protests despite extensive preparations. The extent of turnout and the level of unrest would help determine whether the demonstrations shift the political conversation in the coming weeks as negotiators and lawmakers reassess the budget package and its impact on French public services and the broader economy.