Mass protests draw hundreds of thousands in France

Paris [France], September 19: Mass protests against austerity measures drew hundreds of thousands of participants in France on Thursday.
The CGT union said more than 1 million people took part in demonstrations, although the figure provided by the Interior Ministry stood at 500,000.
Many joined strikes across the country, with pharmacies, schools and public transport all heavily affected. Numerous street blockades were set up in the morning at bus depots, traffic hubs and secondary schools, while dozens of protesters briefly stormed the courtyard of the economy ministry. More than 180 people were detained nationwide, with 30 arrests in Paris.
The protest was intended to put pressure on new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who is deliberating over a new austerity budget after the collapse of the previous government earlier this month. The strikes were called by a broad alliance of unions, who have argued that the measures could threaten the livelihoods of workers, pensioners, and lower-income households.
Source: Qatar Tribune