Nearly 600,000 demonstrate across France in biggest turnout of protest movement

Trade union confederation claims nearly 1.6 million protesters took part in demonstrations nationwide

Nearly 600,000 people took part in demonstrations across France on Thursday, according to a provisional estimate by the Interior Ministry, marking the largest turnout since the protest movement began, BFMTV reported.

The estimate exceeds the 550,000 demonstrators recorded on October 17, 410,000 on October 24 and 320,000 on October 31.

The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) trade union confederation claimed nearly 1.6 million protesters took part in demonstrations nationwide, compared with the Interior Ministry’s estimate of 600,000.

Read: Mass protests in France spiral into worst riots in years

The union also put participation in the Paris march between Place de la Republique and Place de la Nation at 350,000.

Tens of thousands of trade union members joined nationwide strikes and demonstrations across France, demanding higher wages and backing a growing high school protest movement, in a major show of pressure on president Macron’s government.

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The Education Ministry said nearly 16% of teachers were on strike on Thursday, amid nationwide protests over wages, purchasing power and public services.

CGT Secretary-General Sophie Binet said the strike was “extremely effective” and called on the government to respond to workers’ demands.

“Nothing will stop us,” she said during the Paris demonstration, urging wage increases for all workers and a 10% rise in the minimum wage.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that a “social conference” with trade unions and employers’ organisations would be held at Matignon on Monday, November 9, according to a government statement.

The nationwide strike also disrupted schools and universities. The Higher Education Ministry reported disruptions at 60 of 184 institutions, while the SNES-FSU union put strike participation among middle and high school staff at 52%.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets across France on Thursday, demanding action on rising living costs, public services and education amid growing unrest over President Emmanuel Macron's leadership.

Demonstrations in Paris, Lyon and Marseille drew large… pic.twitter.com/wvvTqX7rhh

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Police intervened against student blockades in several cities, including Paris and Bordeaux, local media reported.

Read More: French school protests resume on smaller scale as students return from break

Authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes to manage the mobilisation, according to France's Interior Ministry.

The protests come amid a student movement that began in mid-September over education conditions, funding and staffing.