France: 79 protesters arrested as demonstrations over budget grow

The number of people detained across France has risen to 79 amid nationwide demonstrations against the government"s draft budget, Report said, citing Le Figaro.

According to TF1 television, about 29,000 people have already taken part in rallies throughout the country.

The latest gendarmerie data as of 10 a.m. show 252 separate protests, particularly in the west of the country. At present, there are around 28,500 demonstrators," the report stated.

Authorities expect participation to climb to as many as 900,000 people later in the day.

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France is preparing for widespread demonstrations and strikes in response to planned government spending cuts. More than 250 protests are scheduled across the country today, according to French media cited by Report.

Various labor unions are demanding increased funding for public services, higher taxes on wealthy citizens, and the repeal of pension reforms, which have sparked broad public dissatisfaction. Authorities expect around 800,000 people to participate in the protests.

The demonstrations are likely to cause significant disruptions to transportation, affecting road, rail, and air travel. Many schools may also temporarily close.

The core issue driving public unrest is the government"s austerity measures, proposed last summer by former Prime Minister François Bayrou. These measures aim to reduce the budget deficit from 5.8% of GDP in 2024 to 4.6% in 2026 and include revisions to the benefits system, sharp cuts to public spending, and the elimination of two public holidays.

Last week, the new government led by Sébastien Lecornu announced that it does not plan to cancel the two public holidays, offering a partial concession amid ongoing tensions.