Biggest protest of the movement: ministry counts about 600,000, unions claim "close to 1.6 million"

France's interior ministry said about 600,000 people protested across the country on Thursday, while unions claim there were "close to 1.6 million", France 24 reports. By either estimate, it was the biggest day of protest since the movement against the 2027 budget began.

Organisers announced rallies in more than 260 towns. According to Reuters, police used tear gas against demonstrators in Lyon. The education ministry expected about 16 percent of teachers to strike.

The state on alert

President Emmanuel Macron convened a defence and security meeting on Wednesday to "ensure public order". The G7 foreign ministers' meeting was moved from Marseille to Paris, a decision diplomats described to Reuters as "chaotic".