France: Thousands of Doctors March in Paris Against “Authoritarian Drift” in Healthcare System

More than 10,000 self-employed doctors marched through the streets of Paris on Saturday to protest against what they describe as an “authoritarian drift” in France’s healthcare system. The demonstration, organized by a coalition of medical unions, took place between the Panthéon and Les Invalides and is part of a nationwide doctors’ strike running from January 5 to January 15.

Dressed in white coats, doctors from across the country voiced deep concern over recent government decisions included in the Social Security budget, which they say threaten both their professional independence and the quality of patient care. Among the slogans heard during the march were “Sacrificed healthcare, patients in danger,” “Free to practise, free to care,” and “Stop destroying liberal medicine.”

A Social Security budget that “ignited the crisis”

At the heart of the protest are measures adopted in December that doctors believe impose excessive constraints on private medical practice. The most controversial include:

• increased monitoring by the National Health Insurance system of sick leave prescribed by doctors,

• the possibility for the government to set medical fees unilaterally without negotiation,

• the reduction of the maximum duration of an initial sick leave to one month,

• and proposals to impose prescription reduction targets on certain physicians.

“These measures were designed to constrain liberal medicine through penalties, limits and financial pressure,” said Franck Devulder, president of the French Confederation of Medical Trade Unions (CSMF), during a press conference.

“Mistreating caregivers means mistreating patients”

Medical unions warn of a growing imbalance in France’s healthcare system.
“Healthcare needs are increasing while resources allocated to health are decreasing. This inevitably leads to dysfunction,” said Agnès Giannotti, head of the country’s largest general practitioners’ union.

Although doctors have already succeeded in forcing the government to withdraw some measures initially planned—such as additional taxation on extra billing and compulsory use of the shared medical record—several key points remain unresolved.

Patricia Lefébure, president of the FMF union, called for respect of the medical convention, a four-year agreement negotiated with the National Health Insurance system:
“Passing everything through legislation is harmful. The convention must be protected and respected.”

Escalation expected in the coming days

The protest movement is expected to intensify in the coming days, with hospital-based specialists—surgeons, anesthetists and obstetricians—joining the strike from January 11 to 15. This could result in temporary closures of operating theatres in private clinics across the country.

In a symbolic move, several thousand doctors also plan to travel to Brussels, denouncing what they describe as the dismantling of French medicine. “We are leaving a country whose government is undermining a vital public good,” wrote Dr. Jérôme Marty, president of the Union Française pour une Médecine Libre (UFML-S).

Impact on patients

As the strike continues, patients may experience difficulties accessing medical appointments. Authorities retain the power to requisition doctors to ensure essential public services, including emergency departments and maternity wards.

Patients facing urgent situations are advised to call emergency number 15, though hospitals warn that emergency departments may become overcrowded. The organization SOS Médecins has announced its support for the strike, while confirming that minimum services will be maintained in some areas.

©2026 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

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