France is experiencing widespread protests against the government, resulting in the closure of the iconic Eiffel Tower. The demonstrations, which began on Thursday, involve a large number of people expressing their discontent with the government’s austerity policies. The protests have led to the temporary shutdown of the Eiffel Tower.
The ongoing protests are a continuation of earlier demonstrations. The French Interior Ministry reported that about 195,000 people took to the streets across the country, including 24,000 in Paris. These demonstrations have disrupted regional rail and healthcare services, though metro services in Paris have largely remained operational. Many teachers and healthcare workers also participated in the protests.
Protesters are primarily concerned about the government’s proposed budget cuts scheduled for next year. Trade unions are putting pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Union leaders are demanding more investment in public services, a reversal of the plan to increase the retirement age, and higher taxes for wealthy individuals. In the previous month, more than 500,000 people participated in marches in various cities across France. Unions estimate that over a million workers and protestors were involved in the earlier demonstrations. The main point of contention is the government’s plan to reduce spending on public services in the upcoming budget. Unions and protesters are pushing for the avoidance of cuts to vital services like education and healthcare, advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy to lessen the impact on the public. Demonstrators are also urging the government to reverse the decision to raise the retirement age, indicating a preference for more investment in social services rather than austerity measures.