French strike and school protests draw more than 440 detentions

French public-sector workers staged a nationwide strike on Tuesday, September 29, as high school students protested school conditions and planned budget cuts, with clashes reported at some schools. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said more than 440 people were detained during the unrest. Officials also reported injuries among students, school staff and law enforcement officers. Unions said about 300,000 people joined the one-day strike action nationwide, while police estimated that 30,000 demonstrators gathered in Paris. Those figures refer to different groups and locations. The Education Ministry said just over 11 percent of teachers and other school staff took part in the strike; participation among other civil servants was below 10 percent. The strike brought together teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters and other public employees seeking higher pay and improved working conditions. Unions also opposed government plans for spending cuts and a freeze on state employees’ base salaries in 2027. The government’s proposed savings drive has been reported at €54 billion, but the draft budget had not yet been presented when the demonstrations took place.