The Eiffel Tower closed Thursday as 195,000 protesters demonstrated across 200+ French towns against government austerity measures and spending cuts.

Unions demand new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu abandon predecessor’s budget proposals, including social welfare freezes affecting middle-class workers.

The nationwide strikes mark the latest unrest amid France’s political turmoil, with parliament set to debate the contested budget by year-end.

PARIS — Protesters took to the streets of more than 200 towns and cities across France on Thursday to denounce spending cuts and demand higher taxes on the rich.

In Paris, thousands of workers, retirees and students marched on Thursday afternoon from Place d’Italie. The Eiffel Tower informed visitors in a statement it was closed due to the str

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