Mass Protests in France Demand Higher Wages and Lower Living Costs as Government Calls for a Social Conference

Around 1.6 million people joined massive rallies across French cities on Thursday, November 5, according to trade union and organizer estimates (compared to 575,000 according to security authorities). This national day of protest, called by unions since early October, marks the latest episode in a tense social autumn, following weeks of student mobilization and three consecutive Saturdays dedicated to denouncing rising prices and the high cost of living.

Rising Fuel Costs and Declining Purchasing Power Plague Daily Life

The demonstrations carried unified slogans across approximately 200 gathering points throughout France, primarily demanding the "protection of public services," "higher wages," and "improved purchasing power." In the city of Douai (Nord department), between 1,000 and 1,200 people took part according to Karine Classe, an official with the CGT union, representing a notable increase compared to the protests of October 17. Streets were filled with a mix of temporary workers, students, public and private sector employees, and retirees, all expressing frustration over fuel prices reaching €2.349 per liter of unleaded gasoline.

In Limoges, nearly 17,000 people took part in the march, according to the local CGT branch. A nurse voiced her helplessness in the face of transportation costs, explaining that she spends €200 per week to fill up her tank to take her son to medical appointments, stating: "The situation is no longer bearable." The procession in Limoges avoided passing in front of the town hall, where a tower and part of the roof caught fire during the October 17 demonstrations.

Diverging Stances and Heavy Financial Costs of Striking

The rallies also spread to cities such as Nantes, Lyon, and Paris in a largely peaceful atmosphere, despite some recorded tensions. Paris police reported acts of vandalism committed by masked individuals, while the "Françoise" high school in Tournefeuille near Toulouse was evacuated following a fire in the school administration building. Authorities had mobilized nearly 70,000 police and gendarmerie officers nationwide beforehand under the direction of Laurent Nuñez.

Amid these actions, questions linger over the future of the popular movement. While some, such as firefighters on strike for three and a half months, insist on escalating, and high school students continue blockades, others find it difficult to keep going due to pay deductions for strike days. A railway worker with the SUD-Rail union at Saint-Lazare station in Paris explained that he is left with only €15 or €20 at the end of the month, while a teacher in Douai reported that a single strike day cost her €80, having previously lost €700 during the 2023 pension strikes.

Government Responds by Calling for a Social Conference

In response to pressure on the ground, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced late in the afternoon the convening of a "social conference" on Monday at the Matignon palace, bringing together trade union organizations and employers' representatives. The meeting aims to deliver concrete solutions and responses to wage issues and the loss of purchasing power, at a time when major unions are demanding a significant increase in the minimum wage (SMIC).