Protesters clashed with police in France on Saturday as demonstrations against the cost of living and public services entered their fourth consecutive weekend. The rallies drew students, unions and members of the revived “Yellow Vests” movement, marking an intensification of public discontent across the country.
France’s Interior Ministry counted 146,000 demonstrators nationwide, including 46,000 in Paris. An alliance of youth trade unions put turnout at 250,000 nationally and 75,000 in the capital. At least 360 people were arrested across the country, AFP reported, citing ministry data.
Police used tear gas against people throwing objects as the main march in Paris ended at Place de la Nation. Rubbish bins were set on fire as protesters and police clashed in several cities, according to Le Monde. Police also blocked a separate, banned Yellow Vests gathering at Place de la Concorde and arrested two leaders of the movement.
The Yellow Vests movement emerged in 2018 in opposition to fuel tax hikes, before widening into a movement protesting high living costs and the policies of President Emmanuel Macron. Turnout this time was lower than in the previous three weekends and also below the union-led demonstrations on November 5, when the Interior Ministry counted 575,000 people.
The protests began in late September with secondary school students demanding better conditions, before university students and unions joined. This weekend’s protests follow French lawmakers’ rejection of the revenue section of the 2027 budget, as the government tries to address public anger while attempting to rein in its finances. The government’s original proposal now goes to the Senate, which is expected to begin debate on November 20. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to meet with representatives of workers and employers on Monday to discuss wages and purchasing power.
Source: CNBC