France faced nationwide strikes and student protests as civil servants walked off the job and students blocked hundreds of schools over budget cuts, teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms. The protests came two days before Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's government is due to present its 2027 budget, which includes a planned €54 billion savings programme.
The protests have increased pressure on the government as it seeks to reduce France's deficit and debt ahead of next year's presidential election. The education ministry said around 400 of the country's roughly 3,700 schools were affected by protests or disruptions on Tuesday.
