Streets across Paris, Lyon, and Marseille were filled with demonstrators on October 11, 2025, as France witnessed a new wave of mass protests against the government’s proposed budget cuts. The reforms, introduced by President Emmanuel Macron’s administration, include reductions in public sector spending, pension adjustments, and a freeze on certain social welfare programs. Unions, led by the CGT and CFDT, have accused the government of “punishing the working class” and eroding essential public services. This isn’t the first time France has faced such unrest under Macron’s leadership. The current protests echo the Yellow Vest movement of 2018–2019, when rising fuel taxes and living costs triggered months of nationwide demonstrations. The latest outcry follows last year’s backlash over pension reforms that raised the retirement age to 64, further deepening distrust between citizens and the government. Public transport, education, and health services have been disrupted as workers stage strikes in solidarity. Political analysts warn that the continuing protests could weaken Macron’s already fragile parliamentary majority and stall his economic reform agenda. Opposition figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France Insoumise have seized the moment to rally support, framing the movement as a fight for social justice. As tensions rise, France once again finds itself balancing fiscal discipline with the social unrest that has become a hallmark of Macron’s presidency. #FranceProtests #EmmanuelMacron #BudgetCuts #FrenchPolitics #ParisProtests #PublicSector #YellowVestMovement #PensionReform #SocialUnrest #EuropeNews
