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Following the success of the first general strike on December 5th, which mobilized nearly 1 million French people to the streets, French trade unions have called on workers to continue striking throughout the past weekend and into the beginning of this week, before the French government officially presents its detailed reform plan on December 11th.
Over the past few days, protests and strikes have severely impacted and disrupted the lives of many French citizens, particularly in the capital, Paris. More than 90% of public transport, including the subway, intercity trains, and buses, has ceased operation, making it virtually impossible for people to get to work. Some schools have been closed, many flights have been canceled, and the tourism and retail sectors are facing a downturn during the Christmas season. A union of local businesses warns that prolonged protests could "kill off" many small businesses, while a hotel association reports that bookings in Paris dropped by 30-40% on the first day of the strike, December 5th.
On December 7th, traffic congestion around Paris reached a record high of over 600 km. On December 9th, protests caused traffic jams stretching 630 km on roads leading into Paris and its surrounding areas. Most metro lines in Paris were forced to shut down completely, leading to severe traffic jams, a situation that continued on December 10th. Only 1 in 5 TGV high-speed trains remained operational, while Air France announced the cancellation of 25% of its domestic flights and 10% of its international flights on December 10th. Several museums in Paris were also forced to partially close, and both opera houses canceled performances.
Leaders of the French National Railways and Paris Public Transport are urging people to avoid train stations as 90-95% of trains will be cancelled. Many people are forced to take time off work or work from home, but thousands have no choice but to crowd onto overcrowded trains and buses, with services drastically reduced due to the strike.
In an attempt to appease public outrage, French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe announced: "At noon this Wednesday (December 11th), I will present the entire government reform program to the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, which will conduct dialogue and mediate." He also urged the public to wait until the detailed reform program is announced and to avoid being misled by fake news.
