France protests draw about 600,000, ministry says

France's interior ministry said about 600,000 people had taken to the streets in Paris and across the country by 5:00 pm on Thursday to protest the cost of living.

The ministry had earlier put the figure at 270,000 people at 180 rallies nationwide, not including the capital.

French authorities had expected 500,000 to 700,000 people to protest nationwide as trade unions held strike action alongside student-led demonstrations.

Public and private education unions, rail workers, public hospital workers and postal service unions had called strike action. The unions are demanding an increase in the minimum wage, broader wage rises, tax reforms and better learning conditions for young people.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said earlier that 70,000 police officers and security forces would be deployed across France and promised an “extremely firm response” to any violence or disorder.

The protest movement began with students protesting over learning conditions and has coincided with anger over the cost of living and inequality. Several unions have criticised route bans as a restriction on freedom of demonstration.