© Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes
People shout slogans as they attend a demonstration against the government's austerity reforms, in Paris November 15, 2014.
People shout slogans as they attend a demonstration against the government's austerity reforms, in Paris November 15, 2014.
The demonstration gathered around 5,000 people, RT's Ilya Petrenko reported from the French capital.
A variety of left-wing political forces occupied an entire street in downtown Paris for the rally.
15/11/2014 France - Protest in Paris against austerity. #15nov#manifencourspic.twitter.com/rWYH52BqhBThe majority of those who came voted for socialist Francois Hollande two years ago and now say they were betrayed by the president they put in power.
- Global March (@global_march) November 15, 2014
Anti-#austerity march reaches the Seine. pic.twitter.com/LjJLIz1nF1They gathered to say 'no' to austerity and budget cuts, as well as Hollande's policies which have been dictated by EU authorities in Brussels.
- Ilya Petrenko (@ilpetrenko_rt) November 15, 2014
The protesters carried banners and signs saying "Austerity kills" and "They betrayed Jean Jaures (the leader of French socialists in the early 1900s)."
"These austerity policies consist of massive cuts in social spending and huge tax breaks for big corporations. That's precisely what Hollande promised not to do," a demonstrator told RT.
During Hollande's presidency, the country's tax burden has increased by 40 billion euros, unemployment has risen to 3.3 million, and government spending has reached 57 percent of GDP.
© Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes
Photographers take pictures of a man wearing a "Guy Fawkes" mask and holding placards that read, "Hollande and Valls, you are social breakers" (L) and "Emergency eco sociale", during a demonstration against the government's austerity reforms, in Paris November 15, 2014.
Photographers take pictures of a man wearing a "Guy Fawkes" mask and holding placards that read, "Hollande and Valls, you are social breakers" (L) and "Emergency eco sociale", during a demonstration against the government's austerity reforms, in Paris November 15, 2014.
France has seen a wave of rallies in recent weeks, with people also protesting against police brutality and sanctions against Russia that left the products of local farmers rotting.
A common theme globally with all those we voted in.