Up to 1.6 million march across France on 5 November — and ask what comes next

Was it 1.6 million people or 575,000? It depends on who is counting. What is clear is that the streets of France were full on Thursday, 5 November, and that marchers are now asking what happens next.

What happened?

Unions called a national day of action over wages, purchasing power and public services. Around 200 gatherings took place. Organisers, including the CGT (one of France's biggest unions), counted about 1.6 million marchers. The authorities put the number at 575,000, with 65,000 in Paris. The CGT said 350,000 marched in the capital.

In Douai, in northern France, a local CGT leader estimated 1,000 to 1,200 people, a third more than on 17 October. In Limoges, the local CGT counted 17,000. Lycée students, retirees, rail workers, teachers and civil servants were all in the crowd.

The marches were largely calm, but not entirely. In Paris, police reported damage by masked individuals along the route. Near Toulouse, a school was evacuated after a fire. Some 70,000 police officers and gendarmes had been deployed, and reports put the number of arrests at 448.

Why are people still marching?

For many, it comes down to money. A nurse in Limoges, 55, says she spends 200 euros a week on fuel because of her son's medical appointments. In Douai, unleaded was 2.349 euros a litre at one station.

This was not the first round. Unions announced the day on 1 October, after weeks of student protests, and three Saturday marches against the cost of living followed, including one on 17 October. That day, part of Limoges town hall's roof and belfry burned. The nurse regrets the violence but says lost jobs and closed hospitals are violence too.

What's next?

After two months, some are tired. A Douai student says he is worn out from getting up early to blockade his school. Elsa, 23, who works with families in precarious situations, says she will keep marching, "until the presidential election if need be".

Others want to push harder. A CGT rep at the manufacturer Legrand wants blockades at factories. Firefighters, on strike for three and a half months, say they will keep going.

Prime Minister's office Matignon will host a "social conference" with unions and employers on Monday, announced Sébastien Lecornu. The CGT says more mobilisations on youth, wages and living costs are planned for Saturday.