Key facts
- Authorities expected 500,000 to 700,000 demonstrators across France, with tens of thousands more in Paris.
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police and gendarmes were being deployed and vowed an extremely firm response to violence.
- Unions are seeking a rise in the minimum wage, the Smic, which stands at €12.31 an hour.
- CFDT head Marylise Léon said the unions want a net increase of €100 a month.
- Workers were asked to halt production at oil refineries, and France was expected to import more electricity than it produced on November 5 because of disruption at nuclear plants.
- The government released 10 million barrels of diesel from strategic reserves to lower fuel costs.
Five French unions combined forces across the public and private sector for a national day of strikes and protests on November 5, 2026, with authorities expecting 500,000 to 700,000 demonstrators at more than 250 planned actions. Disruption was reported in schools, hospitals and public transport, workers were asked to halt production at oil refineries, and France was expected to import more electricity than it produced because of disruption at nuclear plants.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police and gendarmes were being deployed and vowed an extremely firm response to any outbreaks of violence. He cited three potential risks: radical left black blocs groups, looting, and wildcat marches without union authorization.
The unions are demanding higher wages to combat the cost of living and protected public services. They are seeking a rise in the minimum wage, the Smic, which stands at €12.31 an hour. CFDT head Marylise Léon said: "We are asking for a net increase of €100 a month." Union leader Sophie Binet, who called the day a great day of convergence, said: "The time has come to take the mobilisation to the next level; the strike must take over." Léon said she would be happy if 800,000 people turned out.
The protests began in September with high school students complaining about poor conditions and resources in education, and spread to include the yellow vest movement and workers. The government has sought to appease anger over rising prices, releasing 10 million barrels of diesel from strategic reserves to bring down fuel costs. Ministers also promised students to reform the Parcoursup university admissions platform and eventually replace it by 2028.
Union leaders complained that recent marches were kept away from central Paris because of violence on October 17, when more than 2,000 stores were looted and historic buildings were set on fire. The November 5 march was allowed through the center of Paris, but not along the unions' proposed route from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Concorde, which would have passed near the National Assembly, the Élysée Palace and the prime minister's residence at Hôtel Matignon. Instead it was set to run from Place de la République to Place de la Nation. The CFDT complained that court approval for the route came only on the evening of November 4, making organization harder.