Paris:France Around 600,000 protesters took to the streets on Thursday in widespread demonstrations across France. The French Ministry of Interior reported these numbers at 500 PM, as protests coincided with broad strikes advocating for wage hikes and improvements in public services, living conditions, and the education system.

According to Iraqi News Agency, mass demonstrations were organized by labor unions and included participation from employees, students, and retirees in major cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, and Toulouse. The protests focused on issues like the increasing cost of living, declining purchasing power, and inadequate funding for educational and public services.

Tensions escalated in Paris and Lyon, where clashes between protesters and police led to the use of tear gas by security forces to disperse crowds. Other cities saw similar unrest, with incidents involving projectile throwing and fires being set. In Toulouse, fireworks caused a fire at a high school, prompting evacuations and firefighting efforts.

The strikes severely disrupted public transport and rail services, closed the Eiffel Tower to visitors, and interrupted classes at numerous schools. The Ministry of Education confirmed that 81 high schools were shut due to protest blockades, and more than 15 percent of teachers participated in the strike.

In response to the unrest, French authorities have deployed approximately 70,000 police and gendarmerie officers nationwide, supported by armored vehicles, drones, helicopters, and riot-control gear, to secure over 220 planned protests and prevent further violence.

Labor unions are pressing for increases in the minimum wage, better salaries and pensions, and more funding for schools and hospitals. They also demand a review of tax policies and measures addressing public spending cuts. The protests are part of ongoing unrest that began in September due to shortages in educational staff and resources, and have since broadened to include wider economic and social issues as the government faces challenges concerning wages, public services, and the 2027 national budget proposal.