French Protests Demand Higher Wages as 575,000 March Across France
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators marched across France on Thursday to protest the high cost of living and demand greater purchasing power. The government responded by announcing a "social conference" with unions and employers for Monday. The Interior Ministry counted 575,000 protesters nationwide, including 65,000 in Paris, exceeding recent demonstrations. The CGT union reported 1.6 million participants. Union leaders demanded a significant increase to the minimum wage (SMIC), with the CGT calling for a 10% rise and the CFDT proposing a 100-euro increase. Authorities reported 448 arrests and 86 fire-related incidents. The protests echo across Europe, with rallies in Athens, Thessaloniki, Germany, Belgium, and Italy against rising costs and for increased education funding.