Nationwide Strikes Rock France: Eiffel Tower Closed as Austerity Protests Intensify

PARIS (AP) — France was gripped by widespread protests yesterday, October 2, 2025, as demonstrators took to the streets in over 200 towns and cities to denounce proposed spending cuts and demand increased taxes on the wealthy. The iconic Eiffel Tower, a major tourist attraction, was forced to close its doors to visitors due to the industrial action.

In the capital, thousands of workers, retirees, and students marched through Paris, highlighting the deep public anger over potential austerity measures. This latest round of nationwide strikes, spearheaded by France’s major unions, marks a significant escalation in a series of protests that began last month amid political turmoil and heated budget discussions.

Unions are pressuring Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to abandon draft budget proposals inherited from his predecessor, which include freezes on social welfare and other austerity measures. Critics argue these policies would further erode the purchasing power of low-paid and middle-class workers. Lecornu, appointed last month, has yet to unveil his detailed budget plans or appoint his government ministers, with these announcements expected in the coming days. The deeply divided parliament is slated to debate the budget bill later this year.

Sophie Binet, head of the prominent CGT union, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating yesterday, “It’s true, it’s the first time that there are three days of strikes and protests in a month without a government or budget. It shows the level of social anger.” She added, “Why are we protesting now? Because we feel that it’s now that the decisions are being made, and we want to be heard.”

The French Interior Ministry reported approximately 195,000 protesters across the country, including 24,000 in Paris. While national high-speed train services largely ran normally, some regional rail lines and Paris commuting trains experienced partial disruptions. Teachers and healthcare workers also participated in the strikes, though overall turnout appeared to be lower than the larger demonstrations seen in September.

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