Workers across France strike over budget cut plans

The widespread walkouts come less than a fortnight after the government collapsed over a proposed budget.

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The interior ministry said between 600,000 and 900,000 people could attend demonstrations nationwide, adding it would deploy 80,000 police officers.

Scuffles were reported in the cities of Lyon and Nantes, where police used teargas to try to disperse protesters.

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.