Public fury has been surging in France as tens of thousands march against spending cuts and for tax fairness, with frustrations fueled by political chaos and budget talks. The demonstrators demanded more financial support from the government in education funding, student living conditions and social security services. In July, then French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou introduced a spending cut plan, including the scrapping of two public holidays and cutting of health insurance spending. The proposal met fierce resistance in parliament and among the public. "I have absolutely no confidence in what he might propose for the future. We already have a date set for next week, October 9, for a large national rally at the Ministry of Health, precisely to fight against austerity measures," said Sophie, nurse and the secretary of the General Confederation of Labour (France). According to sources close to the prime minister, nothing regarding the budget has been decided yet -- but there will have to be major cuts to deal with the country's ballooning inflation. "I think it's too short to say 'tax the rich', it is 'tax the rich as you tax the other part of the population -- not more, not less.' Just the equality for the taxes, it is in the French constitution, but it's not the case," said Renard, a rail ticket inspector in France. Thousands of police officers were deployed across the country for Thursday's protest, with many of those in Paris. According to figures from France's Interior Ministry, about 195,000 people joined the demonstrations nationwide, including around 24,000 in Paris alone. SHOTLIST: Paris, France - Oct 2, 2025 1.Various of protesters on street, slogans, flags; 2.SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed in English) Sophie, nurse/secretary of General Confederation of Labour (France) (full name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 3): "I have absolutely no confidence in what he might propose for the future. We already have a date set for next week, October 9, for a large national rally at the Ministry of Health, precisely to fight against austerity measures."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 3. Sophie among protesters; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 4. Various of protesters; 5. Words on vest showing "SUD Rail"; 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Renard, rail ticket inspector (full name not given): "I think it's too short to say 'tax the rich', it is 'tax the rich as you tax the other part of the population -- not more, not less.' Just the equality for the taxes, it is in the French constitution, but it's not the case."; 7. Various of protesters marching on street. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]