Paris, 18 September 2025 (dpa/MIA) -- Mass strikes in France against austerity measures began Thursday, with hundreds of thousands in total expected to take part in the day of protest.

According to France's acting interior minister Bruno Retailleau, several security operations were carried out to break up street blockades.

Police said seven people were detained in the Paris area, while French media reported that several dozen people had been detained in other parts of the country.

Authorities anticipate that between 700,000 and 800,000 people will participate in the protests.

Some 80,000 members of the security forces were mobilized for the day.

Many teachers are expected to be on strike, and numerous pharmacies will likely remain closed.

Cancellations are expected for intercity and regional trains, and the capital is expected to see major disruption to transport.

However, flights are expected to run almost normally.

A broad union alliance called for the strikes. The unions are upset about the planned austerity measures announced by the government that only recently resigned.

A proposal to eliminate two public holidays had been the target of particular criticism. France's new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced that this particular element of the plan would not now be implemented.

Thursday's protest is intended to put pressure on Lecornu, who is deliberating over a new austerity budget.