France's nationwide strike drew 575,000 by the Interior Ministry's count, topping Oct 17, and PM Lecornu has called unions to Matignon Monday for wage and cost-of-living talks. That is the government

What happened: A nationwide French strike over wages, pensions and the 2027 budget drew 575,000 people by the Interior Ministry's count. After the marches, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called unions and employers to Matignon for Monday talks. Key numbers: Interior Ministry count 575,000, above 550,000 on Oct. Why it matters: Unions called the strike after leaving an Oct. 21 meeting with Lecornu "unanimously disappointed." The 2027 budget bill's revenue half was rejected unanimously in the National Assembly, sending the government's original text to the Senate.

A nationwide French strike over wages, pensions and the 2027 budget drew 575,000 people by the Interior Ministry's count. After the marches, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called unions and employers to Matignon for Monday talks.

Unions called the strike after leaving an Oct. 21 meeting with Lecornu "unanimously disappointed." The 2027 budget bill's revenue half was rejected unanimously in the National Assembly, sending the government's original text to the Senate.