France protesters intensify calls for Macron resignation amid broad austerity backlash

Protests spread across France on Thursday as thousands called for President Emmanuel Macron to resign, intensifying weeks of street action over austerity and the state of the economy.

Anti-austerity demonstrations swept through major cities as workers and students argued that eight years of Macron governance have benefited too few people and harmed too many. In Paris, nurse Aya Touré said she was 'really, really fed up' with France's leaders, adding that 'they have no clue about real-life issues' and that 'we are paying the price.' A history student, Clara Simon, warned that 'There's already no money for soaps in the toilets, no money to fix a seat when it's broken' and said she was angry that 'the economic and social situation in France is deteriorating every year.'

Macron's opponents say taxpayer-funded public services are being eroded by budget cuts, and left-wing parties argue for higher taxes on the wealthy and businesses to help rein in debt rather than shrink public services. Pierre Courois, a 65-year-old retired civil servant, said, 'We need to find money where there's money' and argued that 'France's deficit is an issue, but it's not by cutting on public services that you fix it.' Stephane Lambert, a 34-year-old hospital nurse, added, 'Our pay is stuck, colleagues are leaving, and wards are closing beds,' describing 'more pressure every day' for frontline workers.

At a pre-dawn protest at a Paris bus depot, transport worker Nadia Belhoum said people are 'being squeezed like a lemon even if there's no more juice.' Macron named Sébastien Lecornu as his new prime minister, and Lecornu is scrambling to put together a budget for next year as well as a new government. Both he and Macron face pressure from protesters and from left-wing parties opposed to budget cuts, while investors express concern about the euro zone's debt burden.

'Bringing in Lecornu doesn't change anything - he's just another man in a suit who will follow Macron's line,' said Juliette Martin, a 22-year-old student. On his first days in office last week, anti-government protests saw streets choked with smoke, barricades in flames and volleys of tear gas as demonstrators denounced budget cuts and political turmoil. The commentary from protesters reflected a broader belief among critics that successive governments have pushed the burden of debt onto workers, retirees and students while the wealthiest in society remain shielded.

The Interior Ministry said about 80,000 police were deployed nationwide to keep order on Thursday, and clashes erupted in several cities as riot police confronted demonstrators. The ministry reported 181 arrests nationwide as the afternoon ended, with more than 450,000 demonstrators outside Paris and 55,000 in the capital itself. Participation estimates from the CGT union federation placed turnout well over 1 million nationwide, though police figures were lower.

Public transit was disrupted but not completely shut down. The Paris Metro saw fewer disruptions than anticipated during the morning rush, while high-speed trains faced a few disruptions but were expected to run for the most part. In Paris and other cities, protesters targeted government offices and major transport hubs, with some groups breaching barricades near the Economics Ministry in the capital and warnings of broader disruption across the country.

The protest wave built on the momentum of the so-called Block Everything campaign, which organizers said online helped mobilize thousands to the streets. Observers noted that the protests reflect a collision between a government seeking to reduce deficits and critics who argue that austerity measures disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. While Macron argued that consultations with unions were at the heart of his approach to the budget, opponents contended that the proposed cuts would undermine public services that many French citizens rely on daily.

As France faces a tense fiscal moment, Lecornu and Macron are navigating a political landscape shaped by debt concerns, social welfare commitments, and a volatile public mood. The protests underscored the challenge of reconciling investor expectations with public demands for more robust social protections, a dynamic that has implications for Europe at large as governments grapple with similar budgetary pressures. The events in France come amid a broader European debate over public spending, taxation, and how to balance budgets with social safety nets.