# Social unrest ahead of French elections: Protesters ‘don’t believe politics can achieve anything’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/social-unrest-ahead-of-french-elections-protesters-dont-believe-politics-can-achieve-anything/
- Published: 2026-11-09T16:52:22+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T23:37:52+00:00
- Original publisher: France 24 (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.france24.com/en/social-unrest-ahead-of-french-elections-protesters-don-t-believe-politics-can-achieve-anything
- Topics: Elections, Europe, Politics, World

## Key points

- France raised the minimum wage by 1.6% after countrywide protests.
- The increase may provide only temporary relief.
- An economist links unrest to deep disillusionment with politics.

## Summary

France’s 1.6% minimum-wage increase, introduced in response to countrywide protests, may ease unrest temporarily but is unlikely to resolve the country’s deeper political crisis. Economist Renaud Foucart argues that the demonstrations reflect a wider loss of confidence in politics and its ability to bring about change.

The protests come amid concerns about declining purchasing power, fiscal constraints and the limits of a minority government. Foucart says people are taking to the streets because they do not believe political action can achieve anything, with demonstrations continuing ahead of the presidential election.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.