On Thursday, March 20, 2025, protests surged across France as various sectors mobilized against austerity measures that threaten essential services, particularly in the cultural and educational fields. The pivotal day saw unions from different backgrounds unite to demand better funding and resources, raising concerns about the future of public services.
In Corsica, an inter-union coalition coordinated demonstrations on strategic roundabouts across the island, emphasizing the urgent need to address reforms impacting agricultural education. Beginning at nine in the morning, students from the Borgo and Sartène high schools organized a snail operation, winding their way from Campo dell’oro and Mezzavia to the Direction Régionale de l’Alimentation, de l’Agriculture et de la Forêt (Draaf) in Ajaccio. This protest coincided with a week-long blockade of the schools by students and a strike by school personnel that began on March 18.
The heart of the uproar stems from a reform by the Ministry of Agriculture that proposes a reduction of the overall hourly allocation (DGH) starting from the next school year. Unions argue that this reduction will inevitably lead to class consolidations and job cuts within agricultural high schools, despite substantial investments of 18 million euros made by the Collectivité de Corse in the educational system. They firmly stated, “We cannot accept seeing the training map voted on by our Corsican elected officials called into question for a supposed economy of 200,000 euros on the state budget.”
Meanwhile, in mainland France, all stakeholders in the performing arts sector rallied together to convey their discontent over consecutive budget cuts affecting cultural funding. These gatherings occurred in over twenty cities, with notable intensity in the Hérault region. Here, a second day of mobilization is scheduled for March 24, marking a crucial moment for those in the cultural sector as they advocate for heightened financial support.
The Theatre Molière in Sète, a key institution in the region, initiated adjustments to cope with a staggering 100,000 euros cut from its subsidies for 2025. Artistic directors and employees voiced the bleak outlook for future productions and financial sustainability, noting, “We knew that we had a difficulty post-COVID, that things would be complex, but now, with the successive announcements from both departmental and regional councils, things are moving quickly.”
The Hérault council has proposed a remarkable 48% reduction in culture funding, which would leave many performing arts organizations vulnerable. While the regional council decided to maintain a total cultural budget of 70.5 million euros, it simultaneously reduced grants by 5 to 15%, with only the most fragile organizations, such as small theater companies, escaping the cuts.
Calling for a united front, Ghislain Gauthier, Secretary General of CGT Spectacle, urged members of the cultural sectors to come together on March 20, asserting that it was vital to convey collective dissatisfaction directly to Kléber Mesquida, the PS president of the Hérault Department. He emphasized, “It is crucial that we have strong attendance that day to show that this situation is unacceptable.” Mobilization in Montpellier started with a significant gathering at 1 p.m. on the Place de la Comédie, setting the stage for potential broader protests throughout the summer.
Simultaneously, Radio France also faced staff protests due to austerity measures affecting cultural broadcasts. The CGT of Radio France issued a strike notice, leading to significant disruptions in program offerings. This labor action aligns with the broader struggle against cuts in the cultural sector. Employees of Radio France expressed their disapproval of a public broadcasting merger, which they labeled as “demagogic, ineffective, and dangerous,” highlighting a loss of autonomy that could have severe consequences for media plurality.
Additionally, several unions, representing different sectors, organized for demonstrations on March 20. Retiree organizations called for pension reevaluation and health rights, while teachers from the education sector represented by FSU-SNUipp and SNUDI-FO raised alarms over staff cuts and class closures. In Paris, a demonstration at the rectorate was planned, focusing on the longstanding grievances faced within the educational system.
The urgency of these protests speaks to the pervasive unease among professionals across France's public sectors, with institutions and unions bracing for a tumultuous spring as they unite against austerity. The collective actions taken on March 20 signal a crucial moment for workers demanding respect, recognition, and adequate funding for vital services that uphold cultural and educational standards in society. Unmistakably, tensions are rising, and stakeholders are committed to fighting for change amid pressing economic realities.
