Broken system? French protesters rage against austerity

France’s prime minister is negotiating pay rises with unions as protesters voice anger over austerity and say they feel unheard. The dispute highlights a widening gap between government policy and people’s experience of falling wages and weaker job prospects, particularly for young people.

The government is also trying to prevent a record budget deficit from growing further. With presidential elections six months away, anti-establishment candidates on both the far right and far left are promising major change. The article places France’s unrest alongside emerging protest movements elsewhere in Europe and asks how decision-makers might rebuild public confidence.