General strike in France mobilizes up to 700,000 and US warns travelers about risk of violence

France faced a general strike on this day with protests across the country, and the United States embassy in Paris issued a warning to Americans in the country. According to Fox Business, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate in the demonstrations, called by unions and left-wing groups.

French authorities estimate between 500,000 and 700,000 protesters, in around 220 acts, according to the channel. In Paris alone, the forecast cited in the broadcast is 80 thousand people. To contain the violence, the government mobilized up to 70,000 police officers throughout the territory.

Organizers say they are protesting the high cost of living, the lack of public services and the low quality of education. According to Fox Business, the movement began as a student protest against school conditions, with unit closures and teachers' strikes. It then began to include low wages and government budget cuts. The event is organized by five large unions, students and yellow vest protesters.

American alert and risk for the activity

In the statement, the US embassy states that protests may occur outside the planned routes and that recent demonstrations have been violent, with property destruction and looting. The text also warns that curfews in parts of the country may continue and be enacted without prior notice. The State Department maintains alert level 2 for France (exercise increased caution). According to the report, some Americans cancel or adjust trips.

The station's correspondent reported that, in previous weeks, protesters set fires, clashed with the police and looted stores, with thousands of people detained. An interviewee in Paris said the capital's image harms tourists, commerce and business, and called it a "disgrace." The government also transferred the G7 foreign ministers' meeting from Marseille to Paris, citing logistical and operational reasons, at a time when security forces are overstretched.

Fiscal pressure and political scenario

In the opinion of Fox Business presenters, the impasse tends to prolong because the demands are broad: better schools, higher salaries and more services. They claim that the movement lasts around six to seven weeks and that the police reinforcement, with overtime, increases the country's debt. For one of the commentators, claims of increased spending could lead the country to bankruptcy.

The government has already promised more teachers, smaller classes and loans for school renovations, according to the channel. Broader financial relief, however, is more difficult, as the Executive tries to control the budget deficit. In the view of a presenter, the French model of retirement at age 62, a 32-hour week and free services financed by taxes generates promises that the account does not support. This is the program's opinion, not verified data.

The episode is a test for President Emmanuel Macron, whose elections take place in five months, according to the broadcast. Commentators have questioned whether Marine Le Pen, described as more conservative, or the radical left will emerge stronger. For investors, the situation combines political uncertainty, tension between social demands and budgetary discipline and risk for tourism and trade in the euro zone's second largest economy. The transcript does not contain data on stock market reactions, interest rates or exchange rates.

Automatically translated from Portuguese.