Eight major public sector unions in France called a nationwide strike on Tuesday, 29 September, with more than 170 demonstrations planned, to protest a proposed freeze on civil servants' pay index (the base rate used to set public wages) as fuel-driven inflation bites. The government of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is seeking about 54 billion euros in savings in next year's budget, while unions say public salaries have risen 5% since 2017 against cumulative inflation of over 24%, and also cite understaffing, especially in hospitals. The day is seen as a test of union strength ahead of the presidential campaign, with authorities expecting 20,000 to 40,000 marchers and only limited disruption to rail and metro services.