French unions call for 5 November strike after government talks fail

French unions expressed unanimous disappointment after a meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, calling for a major mobilization on 5 November, with the CGT urging workers to "generalise the strike." Union leaders said Lecornu announced no measures addressing their demands, though the CFTC noted the government "opened the door" to discussions on raising the minimum wage. The unions also criticized the absence of secondary school and student organizations from the meeting. Following weekend riots and looting during 17 October protests, authorities renewed curfews in Paris and Lyon, while justice minister Gérald Darmanin reported 2,500 people in police custody and 174 jailed. President Emmanuel Macron, on a Middle East tour, called for "firmness" but made no announcements on protesters' demands.