France holds new strikes and protests as unions demand immediate answers

Five of France's unions join a wave of strikes and protests in a national day of action. The head of France's CGT labour union, Sophie Binet (C), said the wave of protests and strikes had reached a new level Protests are taking place across France after five unions launched a national day of strike action, joining high school students and demonstrators criticising the rising cost of living. More than 250,000 people had taken to the streets in almost 70 towns and cities by 13:00 (12:00 GMT) on Thursday, and that was "just the start", said Sophie Binet of the CGT union. The unions have vowed to take the wave of protests that began in September over poor conditions and resources at lycées (high schools) "to the next level".

They have since spread to include workers and the so-called "yellow-vest" movement against high prices. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police were being deployed, vowing "an extremely firm response" to any potential outbreaks of violence. Some unrest was reported early on Thursday afternoon in Lyon where a car was set alight, in incidents blamed on hundreds of people belonging to the radical left-wing "black bloc". A car was set alight during a protest in the centre of Lyon The five unions have combined forces across the public and private sector, announcing