French unions call general strike for November 5

French unions, led by the CGT, are calling for a general strike on November 5th to intensify social protests, accusing the government of responding with public order measures instead of political solutions. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with unions, but the CGT said no concrete demands were addressed. The CGT's Sophie Binet urged the broadest possible mobilization and assemblies in all workplaces to extend the strike beyond November 5th. Paris authorities have banned gatherings in some areas on October 22nd. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and convened a security meeting with intelligence and government officials. Macron stated transparency is key regarding the October 17th violence and vowed to prevent new disorders during planned protests. Opposition figures, including François Hollande and Marine Le Pen, criticized the government's handling of the crisis, with Macron facing accusations of being absent while traveling abroad.