During the mass protests in France, the US flag was set on fire

Large protests organized by teachers and students in the French capital, Paris, have caused a significant stir. According to "RIA Novosti," this action, initiated by nine trade unions in the education sector, began in front of the Ministry of Education.

Demands of the protesters and reasons for discontent

Participants raised placards criticizing France's former Prime Minister and current Minister of Education, Elisabeth Borne, opposing the government's policies in the education sector. They sharply criticized the reduction of teaching positions in primary and secondary schools and the closure of 223 classes. They also demanded the cancellation of pension reforms and the restoration of full pay for vacations.

Events during the protests

Protesters expressed their discontent against the tariff policy of the United States and the decisions of former President Donald Trump by tearing up the US flag. They also attempted to set fire to trash bins and break windows and ATMs. The police used batons and tear gas against the protesters.

Severe measures in the public sector

Public sector employees in France also joined these protests. Trade unions such as CGT, UNSA, FSU, and Solidaires called on public servants to demonstrate across the country on April 3. The unions referred to 2025 as a "black year for the public sector," strongly opposing the government's plans to reduce holiday pay and cut the budget for public services without indexing wages. They emphasized that these measures could lead to social injustice.

France's budget: defense spending is increasing

The French government plans to reduce public spending in the 2025 budget. However, defense spending remains increased. An additional 3.3 billion euros has been allocated for the Ministry of Defense, bringing the total budget to 50.5 billion euros. According to Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, the country aims to increase defense spending to 100 billion euros.

The US tariff policy and Trump's decision

Previously, former US President Donald Trump had decided to impose tariffs on all products imported into the US, except for essential goods for national security and production. These tariffs have been raised from a minimum of 10% to as much as 49% for some countries.

The protests in Paris demonstrated the discontent of public sector employees and students with government policies. Pension reforms, severe measures in the education sector, and budget disputes are likely to continue to spark heated discussions in the future. It remains unclear how the government will respond to these demands.