French protests draw 1.6 million as government offers limited wage measures

On November 5, 1.6 million protesters marched across France, prompting the prime minister to summon employer and worker organizations for talks on wages and purchasing power on November 9, while continuing austerity measures. The mass mobilization, led by unions and youth groups, overwhelmed government attempts to curb protests, including security deployments and last-minute route changes. By midday, the executive acknowledged the CGT's turnout figures, effectively conceding defeat. The prime minister's proposed measures to ease purchasing power were seen as insufficient, and the government faces ongoing pressure as it maintains budget cuts despite the large-scale social unrest.