Thousands of French Public Sector Workers Protest Amid Record National Debt and Declining Purchasing Power

On September 29, 2026, approximately 300,000 people, including thousands of public sector workers and firefighters, took to the streets across France to protest a sharp decline in their purchasing power. The inter-union group called a strike to demonstrate against economic pressures exacerbated by rising prices, particularly for fuel, affecting public servants' livelihoods. Firefighters notably joined the mobilization in large numbers after a challenging summer dealing with multiple wildfires.

The protests occurred against the backdrop of France’s soaring national debt, which reached a historic high of €3,595.5 billion in the second quarter of 2026, equivalent to 119% of the country’s GDP—the highest level since 1946. Debt interest payments are a significant budget burden, with €77.4 billion paid in 2026 and projections rising to €100 billion by 2030.

The CGT union demanded that the government revise its budget to better support public workers. They stressed that despite governmental cost-cutting efforts, the combination of debt servicing and escalating living costs severely impacts the public sector's economic well-being. This day of protest highlights growing social discontent amid France's challenging economic landscape.