French police fire tear gas as strikes descend into chaos (VIDEO)

Police fired tear gas in Paris, Nantes, and Lyon on Thursday as protesters clashed with law enforcement during strikes across France against proposed austerity measures.

Hundreds of thousands joined demonstrations to oppose budget cuts proposed by President Emmanuel Macron’s newly appointed prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu. Protesters demanded higher taxes on the wealthy, more funding for public services, and the reversal of pension reforms.

Footage showed crowds waving flags, chanting slogans, singing, and clapping while smoke from flares drifted over nearby buildings.

The demonstrations targeted cuts unveiled over the summer by then Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, amounting to €44 billion ($52 billion) from next year’s budget. The proposals included freezing tax rates, social benefits, and pensions, as well as turning Victory Day on May 8 and Easter Monday into working days. His government was ousted on September 8 after parliament rejected the plan, triggering a political crisis that brought Lecornu into office.

The Interior Ministry said more than 180 people were arrested as 80,000 police and gendarmes, including riot units and armored vehicles, were deployed nationwide. Officers in Paris used tear gas to disperse black-clad protesters throwing bottles and stones, and also blocked attempts to damage banks. Brief clashes were reported in Nantes and in Lyon, where three people were reportedly injured.

Around one million people took part nationwide, according to the union group CGT, while government officials put the figure closer to 500,000. The authorities estimated 55,000 marched in Paris alone.

In the capital, metro services ran mainly at rush hour and regional trains were disrupted, adding to the sense of chaos, though high-speed lines operated normally. Unions said up to 45% of teachers walked out, while the Education Ministry reported lower figures.

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