Thousands of Doctors Protest in Paris Against Threats to Liberal Medical Practice

On January 10, 2026, several thousand general practitioners and specialists gathered in Paris to protest against legislative measures they believe threaten the freedom of liberal medical practice and the accessibility of healthcare in France. The protest march took place between iconic landmarks, the Panthéon and the Invalides, amid cold weather conditions around four degrees Celsius.

Doctors voiced their strong opposition to the social security budget passed on December 16, 2025, which they argue imposes restrictive constraints on liberal medicine. Philippe Cuq, co-president of the specialist doctors' union Avenir spé-Le bloc, described the recent law as "setting fire to the powder keg," warning it aims to "constrain liberal medicine at all levels" and could lead to the "destruction of care offerings." The demonstration was part of a larger strike spanning January 5 to January 15, with reports of over 10,000 doctors participating in the nationwide action.

The demonstrators chanted slogans like "Mistreating caregivers is mistreating patients," underscoring their belief that undermining medical professionals would directly harm patients. Many expressed a pervasive sense of frustration and disappointment with the government's approach, highlighting a general malaise in the healthcare system. The protest also targeted specific government and parliamentary projects, notably concerning the prescription of sick leave, which doctors say complicates their ability to treat patients freely and effectively.

In a show of continued resistance, some protesters planned an "exile" operation in Brussels the following day, aiming to further press their demands at a broader European level.

This large-scale mobilization reflects deep discontent among France’s liberal medical community regarding ongoing policy changes, which they perceive as an authoritarian drift threatening both their professional liberties and patient care accessibility.