Hundreds of thousands of workers are expected to take part in strike action across France on Thursday, after trade unions called for a day of protests against budget cuts.
The interior ministry said between 600,000 and 900,000 people could attend demonstrations nationwide, adding it would deploy 80,000 police officers.
The strikes come barely a week after Sébastien Lecornu, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, was appointed prime minister following the toppling of François Bayrou's government.
Public transport was heavily disrupted on Thursday morning, with many metro lines in Paris reported shut, while protesters blocked roads and streets in major cities across France.
Students gathered in front of schools and universities in the capital and beyond, blocking entrances and chanting slogans. Around a third of teachers walked out.
Pharmacists are also adhering to strike action in droves, with 98% of pharmacies expected to stay closed.
Unions have called for more spending on public services, higher taxes on the wealthy and for the budget cuts outlined by the short-lived Bayrou government to be axed.
Sophie Binet, the leader of one of France's major trade union groups, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), stated: We need to be out in force, that's how we gather strength to keep fighting... to force the government and the employers to put an end to policies that only serve the richest.
Bruno Retailleau, the outgoing interior minister, reported that 58 people had been arrested across France by mid-morning, emphasizing a strict approach by law enforcement.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of the radical left party France Unbowed (LFI), urged participants to remain disciplined, warning that violent actions would play into the hands of the government.
Paris prosecutor Laurent Nunez expressed worries that far-left groups might derail the demonstrations, advising shops in the city centre to close for the day.
Thursday's strikes follow a previous protest involving around 200,000 people organized by the grassroots Bloquons Tout movement, aimed at opposing Bayrou's unpopular budget proposal which included €44 billion in cuts to public spending.
New Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu faces the challenging task of navigating a divided parliament as he seeks to formulate a budget that resonates with the conflicting political factions in France.
Despite the urgent need to address France's public debt—nearly €50,000 per citizen—the government's previous proposals have triggered widespread backlash, reflecting deep-seated frustrations over fiscal policies perceived as favoring the wealthy.