Paris, Sept. 18 -- France witnessed large-scale anti-austerity protests on Thursday, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets to oppose looming budget cuts and pressuring President Emmanuel Macron and newly appointed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to change course, France 24 reported.

The nationwide strike action disrupted schools, rail services, hospitals, and pharmacies, as demonstrators demanded more investment in public services, higher taxes on the wealthy, and the reversal of a controversial pension reform that extended the retirement age. Teenagers also blocked dozens of high schools in solidarity with the labour movement.

"The anger is immense, and so is the determination. My message to Mr. Lecornu today is this: it's ...