^{Protesters demonstrate at the port in Marseille, southeastern France, on September 18, 2025, during a day of nationwide strikes and protests called by unions over France's national budget. © Clément Mahoudeau, AFP}

More than a million protest across France against budget cuts, union says

France24 18/09/2025 By:Anaelle JONAH

More than one million people took part in demonstrations across France on Thursday, according to the hardline CGT union. Union leaders hailed the strike as "already a success" and issued a warning to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, demanding fiscal, social and environmental justice in his upcoming budget. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded.

Key developments

• Major unions across France have called for a nationwide strike and mass protests against the government’s draft 2026 budget.
• More than a million protesters rallied across the country, according to the hardline CGT union.
• The previous government, led by Prime Minister François Bayrou, proposed budget cuts amounting to roughly 44 billion euros. 
• Bayrou’s government lost a no‐confidence vote on September 8, largely due to opposition over how the budget was to be handled.
• New Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has since been appointed, but many consider that the budget proposals under his leadership largely follow the same austerity path.