Nationwide strikes and protests sweep France over cost of living and public services

Summary

Trade unions, workers, students and pensioners joined nationwide strikes and demonstrations across France on Thursday, Nov 5, demanding higher wages, action on the cost of living and better public services. Channel NewsAsia reported that French authorities had estimated 500,000 to 700,000 people would protest across the country. RFI reported that hundreds of thousands took to the streets and that the CGT union said nearly 1.6 million people joined the marches, including 350,000 in Paris. France 24's live coverage reported that the Interior Ministry put the nationwide figure at around 600,000, while unions claimed close to 1.6 million. Fox News put the turnout at an estimated 270,000 and said the protests were putting pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's government. The Straits Times said the protests followed weeks of unrest over the cost of living and public services. The reports do not give a final count or any official government response.

Timeline

1. Channel NewsAsia

   5 Nov 2026, 07:05 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that French authorities estimated about 500,000 to 700,000 people would protest across the country on Thursday, Nov 5.

2. RFI

   5 Nov 2026, 07:11 UTCSource ↗

   RFI reports that hundreds of thousands took to the streets across France as workers, students and pensioners joined nationwide strikes, and that the CGT union said nearly 1.6 million people joined, including 350,000 in Paris.

3. The Straits Times

   5 Nov 2026, 12:57 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that France faced its latest nationwide protests on Thursday after weeks of unrest over the cost of living and public services, with trade unions and student groups mobilising demonstrators across the country.

4. Fox News

   5 Nov 2026, 14:36 UTCSource ↗

   Fox News reports that an estimated 270,000 people joined nationwide strikes and protests across France on Thursday, putting pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's government.

5. France 24

   5 Nov 2026, 17:05 UTCSource ↗

   France 24's live coverage reports that the Interior Ministry said 600,000 people protested across France, while unions claimed close to 1.6 million.