Paris: Community doctors and private clinics in France began a 10-day strike to protest what they describe as the 'insufficient' 2026 Social Security budget. Denouncing the insufficiencies in the social security budget and voicing concerns over a potential challenge to their freedom to practice, the doctors' strike - backed by medical unions, coordinating bodies, and medical students - is expected to last till Jan. 15.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Franck Devulder, president of the French Confederation of Medical Trade Unions (CSMF), stated on France Inter radio, "We know very well that when we go on strike, we put hospitals under strain' and 'we place the population in a more uncomfortable situation, as with any strike action." Devulder mentioned that the participation rate is "just over 85%."
Doctors have expressed concerns regarding an insufficient budget amidst growing needs, increased oversight of sick-leave prescriptions, and measures that allow authorities to 'authoritatively' lower fees for certain medical acts by 'bypassing' social dialogue, as reported by broadcaster BFMTV.
In a related development, staff at the Louvre Museum voted unanimously to resume a strike action to protest working conditions, according to unions. Despite the strike, the museum remained only partially open to visitors. Approximately 350 employees from various departments, including operations, conservation, and support services, participated in a general assembly at the museum's auditorium, led by an inter-union grouping that includes CFDT, CGT, and Sud, as per union representatives.
The Louvre's management confirmed that the museum would remain 'partially open,' with access limited to the 'masterpieces route,' featuring iconic works such as the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The strike was initially launched on Dec. 15 and suspended four days later. However, unions had planned Monday's assembly at the start of the new working period to decide whether to continue the action, citing that talks with the Culture Ministry had not delivered 'sufficient progress.'