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France faces persistent difficulties in restoring its public finances, which has fueled fears of a downgrade in its credit rating.
The American rating agency maintained the Aa3 level, with a negative outlook. Most observers expected a move to A1 due to the government's inability to restore public finances.

The CFDT and the CGT strongly criticize the “killers-payers” bill adopted by the Senate. The unions see this as a threat to the freedom to demonstrate and denounce the establishment of collective responsibility deemed contrary to the rule of law.

The Rhône prefecture authorized the demonstration against the high cost of living planned for Saturday in Lyon, after having banned previous gatherings following violence.

The number of people registered with France Travail increased in the third quarter, reaching 3.35 million in category A, a trend partly linked to the law for full employment.

The unemployment rate in France reached 8.3% in the second quarter of 2026, its highest level since 2020. Paradoxically, 44% of companies are facing significant recruitment difficulties, representing hundreds of thousands of unfilled jobs.
Faced with social anger, the main French unions (CGT, CFDT, FO, Unsa, FSU) are calling for a day of strike and demonstrations on November 5 to demand wage increases, resources for public services and better tax justice.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators march in France against the high cost of living. Although calm prevails, tensions and clashes break out in Lyon, Marseille, Lille and Chambéry. The Minister of the Interior reports 135 arrests at midday.