France has been hit by a nationwide strike over wages, pensions and the cost of living, with five of the country's main union confederations acting together for the first time since the pension reform protests of 2023–24. Railways, schools, hospitals, postal services and ports are disrupted, and around 260 demonstrations were planned across the country.

The CGT, CFDT, FO, UNSA and FSU jointly called the one-day stoppage for Thursday 5 November, demanding higher wages and pensions, better-funded public services and changes to the government's draft 2027 budget, which contains about €43 billion in public spending savings. The unions are also seeking an increase in the national minimum wage and higher taxes on wealth, inheritances and company dividends. Authorities expected 500,000 to 700,000 people to march outside Paris and 40,000 to 80,000 in the capital.

70,000 police deployed

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police and gendarmes would be deployed and promised a very firm response to any violence. All four main unions at state-owned railway operator SNCF joined a 24-hour rail strike, with regional services and some routes around Paris disrupted. The education ministry estimated that about 17.5 per cent of public primary school teachers would strike, and many schools were closed or providing only basic childcare, while hospitals maintained emergency services.

The stoppage is the latest test for President Emmanuel Macron after weeks of unrest, and comes five months before a presidential election. Turnout figures from police and unions were expected later on Thursday, and were not available at the time of writing.

Sources: The Guardian via World Right Now, Protesters to join nationwide march as France braces for day of strike action, 5 November 2026; Associated Press via Bold Voices, French Unions Launch Nationwide Strikes, Deepening Pressure on Macron Government, 5 November 2026.