French protests draw hundreds of thousands in cost-of-living strike

Hundreds of thousands marched across France on Thursday in protests over the cost of living and public service cuts, with unions staging a general strike. The government estimated 600,000 participants, while the CGT union claimed nearly 1.6 million. Striking teachers, hospital staff, and rail workers joined students in largely peaceful demonstrations, though police fired tear gas in Bordeaux and Lyon. Authorities deployed 70,000 officers, and some school blockades occurred in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron faces domestic crises in his final months, with a divided parliament struggling to pass a budget as debt nears 120% of output. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen polls high for the 2027 election.