PARIS, France – Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of France during national strikes to protest government austerity plans on Thursday.
The authorities expect between 700,000 and 800,000 people to participate in the protest.
In addition to peaceful demonstrations, Acting Interior Minister Bruno Retayo expects acts of vandalism.
A total of 80,000 security personnel were mobilized for the day.
The strikes are likely to cause significant disruption to some aspects of public life in France.
Many teachers are expected to participate in the strike, and many pharmacies are likely to remain closed.
Some intercity train trips are also expected to be cancelled, and Parisians should prepare for major public transport problems.
However, air traffic at airports is expected to proceed almost normally.
Less disruption to long-distance travel is also expected.
A broad coalition of unions called for these strikes.
Unions are angry about austerity measures announced by a government that resigned only recently.
