Even the Pride of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, Closed... How Severe Is the Strike in France?

Protests Against Austerity Policies Spark Nationwide General Strike
Clashes Between Protesters and Police Paralyze Roads

A nationwide general strike movement opposing the government's austerity measures is intensifying across France. Even the Eiffel Tower, a landmark of Paris, has been closed as a result.

According to reports from international media outlets, including the Associated Press, on October 2 (local time), thousands of workers, students, and retirees in Paris have joined the strike. As a result, the Eiffel Tower reportedly posted a notice stating that it was "closed due to the strike."

Closed Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, at the beginning of last month, the "Bloquons Tout" ("Shut Everything Down") protests took place in France. Protesters have been voicing their opposition to the government's stringent austerity policies, demanding the withdrawal of the austerity plan and the introduction of a wealth tax. On September 10, clashes between protesters and police in Paris paralyzed major roads throughout the city.

This strike has also seen participation from teachers and healthcare workers, but it reportedly did not reach the scale of the previous "Bloquons Tout" strike. Nevertheless, the impact was significant, with some regional lines of the state-run railway company SNCF disrupted and commuter trains running on reduced schedules.

The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) claimed that approximately 600,000 people participated in protests nationwide. However, the French Ministry of the Interior estimated the number of protesters at around 195,000.

Previously, former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou had proposed an austerity budget that included cuts to public spending on social welfare and pensions, but it faced strong opposition from the opposition parties. France's public debt has now soared to 113.9% of its gross domestic product (GDP), and its fiscal deficit is nearly double the European Union's limit of 3% of GDP per year.

On September 8, the French National Assembly held a confidence vote on former Prime Minister Bayrou, with 364 voting against and 194 in favor, resulting in a vote of no confidence. As a result, Bayrou lost his position, and President Emmanuel Macron appointed former Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu as the new prime minister. According to AFP, Prime Minister Lecornu is expected to announce the new cabinet by the afternoon of October 5 at the latest. The media outlet also reported that the cabinet is expected to be small, with 20 to 25 members, and that most key ministers will retain their positions.