Nationwide protests in France attracted an estimated 320,000 participants voicing concerns over rising living costs and government policies
The French government on Saturday estimated that 320,000 people participated in nationwide protests against rising living costs and government policies, as demonstrations entered their third consecutive weekend. However, a coalition of youth organisations and student unions put the nationwide turnout at nearly 500,000, including 200,000 in Paris, significantly higher than the government’s estimate of 70,000 in the French capital. The government had deployed around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide to manage the demonstrations and prevent further violence.
Tensions also flared in Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with police using tear gas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had warned ahead of the protests that authorities faced a high risk of public disorder, particularly from groups seeking to turn demonstrations violent. The protests are driven by growing public anger over rising living costs, declining purchasing power, strained public services and dissatisfaction with government policies.