France braces for fresh protests as unions strike over higher wages

Unions representing the education sector, rail employees, public hospitals and postal services called the strike. Authorities have deployed some 70,000 police and security officers across the country. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to march in French cities on Thursday, as public workers go on strike alongside protesting students.

The mobilization, called by trade unions seeking higher wages, comes after demonstrations over education and the rising cost of living on October 17 triggered some of the worst rioting France has seen in years. Police will be out in force for Thursday's protests, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announcing around 70,000 police officers and security forces would be deployed across the country. Authorities estimate some 500,000 to 700,000 people will take part in the demonstrations, including about 80,000 in the capital, Paris.

Public and private education unions have called for staff to walk off the job, as well as unions representing rail workers, public hospitals and postal services.