More than 85,000 people participated in a strike organized by trade unions on Thursday against the massive spending cuts planned in next year’s budget. Teachers, healthcare workers, and people from various other sectors joined the protest. As a result, the iconic Eiffel Tower had to be closed temporarily, and local authorities advised tourists to avoid the site.

Union leaders demanded increased spending on public services, the reversal of the retirement age hike, and higher taxes on the wealthy. Leaders from France’s largest union, CFDT, as well as the hardline CGT, were among the participants. Sophie Binet, General Secretary of CGT, said, “All cuts related to workers in previous budget proposals must be permanently scrapped.”

Earlier, former Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted by parliament due to his proposal of €44 billion budget cuts. However, the turnout in this protest was lower compared to earlier demonstrations.

Dominique Menier, who joined the protest in Nantes, said, “Even though we are fewer in number, we still have to fight. Each time, we lose a day, but democracy generally progresses this way.”

According to CGT, protests will be held in over 240 locations across France, including Dijon. To maintain order, around 76,000 police officers have been deployed.