French railway workers storm Tesla dealership near Paris VIDEO

Dozens of striking railway workers stormed a Tesla dealership near Paris on October 2, in a protest targeting billionaires and demanding higher taxation of the ultra-wealthy.

Videos shared online show protesters, many affiliated with the militant SudRail union, occupying the dealership in Saint-Ouen and chanting slogans such as “We hate billionaires” while waving red union flags, Caliber.Az reports via French media.

Des manifestants envahissent la boutique Tesla près du siège de l'entreprise à Saint-Ouen.

Action coup de poing de SudRail pour demander une taxation des ultra-riches.#greve2octobre pic.twitter.com/ju8biLfcFD

— Luc Auffret (@LucAuffret) October 2, 2025

The action is part of a broader wave of demonstrations across France, with more than 240 rallies and strikes planned nationwide on October 2. The CGT union confirmed that railway workers, teachers, healthcare staff, and even high school students were taking part in the mobilsation against the government’s proposed austerity measures.

Protesters say their message is aimed at President Emmanuel Macron, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and what they call the “criminal class” of ultra-wealthy elites benefitting from economic policies that disproportionately impact working people. A popular slogan circulating among socialist groups on social media declared, “Block fascism. Block everything.”

The protests come as Macron’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, faces the daunting task of slashing France’s soaring budget deficit, which hit 5.8% of GDP in 2024—nearly double the European Union’s 3% ceiling.

France is under mounting pressure from Brussels to rein in public spending. But Lecornu, who is still forming his cabinet after taking office last month, has yet to outline his approach to the 2026 budget. His predecessor, François Bayrou, was ousted by parliament on September 8 after unveiling a controversial plan to cut €44 billion in public spending. That plan triggered widespread backlash, leading to the current wave of discontent.

By Sabina Mammadli