Part 11/16:
In France, protests are not mere labor disputes; they are political weapons—tools to challenge the very legitimacy of reforms. The power of unions, though modest in membership (~8%), is magnified by their strategic control over critical sectors—refineries, transportation, ports—making shutting down key infrastructure a potent form of political leverage. This dynamic creates a vicious cycle: unpopular reforms trigger protests, which then lead to government resignations or paralysis, thwarting necessary fiscal adjustments.