Overview
- The Interior Ministry counted 195,000 demonstrators nationwide on the third protest day, while the CGT cited nearly 600,000, with participation down from mid‑September.
- Paris police reported about 24,000 participants and four arrests, with limited transport disruption and closures that included the Eiffel Tower and some museum rooms.
- Sébastien Lecornu pledged not to use Article 49.3 to force the budget through parliament and urged opponents not to topple the government during the budget fight.
- He said a slightly smaller cabinet would be unveiled in the coming days, with key ministers expected to stay and changes likely at the economy and defense posts.
- Talks with the Socialists and Rassemblement National continued after attempts at a formal pact fell through, and Lecornu plans a policy statement to parliament on Tuesday.