In brief
Nearly 1,000 people were arrested after massive protests across France turned violent on Saturday, with tear gas, water cannon and burning barricades witnessed in cities such as Paris, Marseille and Lyon. While the interior ministry estimated 410,000 participants, union figures put the figure closer to 800,000, reflecting deep frustration over cost‑of‑living and school conditions. President Macron’s decree limiting public demonstrations to recognised unions added tension, and police operations involved elite units and tight curfews. The unrest, ahead of next year’s presidential election, underscores a growing split in French society and a demand for policy change.
Nearly 1,000 people were arrested as mass protests in France erupted into violence on Saturday, with police using tear gas and water cannons in cities such as Paris, Marseille and Lyon.
The interior ministry estimated 410,000 participants, while union organisers claimed around 800,000, reflecting deep national frustration over rising living costs and deteriorating schools.
President Emmanuel Macron’s decree limiting public demonstrations to recognised unions added tension, while elite police units were deployed in Paris and curfews were imposed in several cities.
In Marseille, the streets were set ablaze as protesters built and burned makeshift barricades; in Lyon, police burst tear‑gas grenades on a crowd of mainly students; and in Bordeaux, masked figures tore boards off a shop to construct a temporary blockade.
Two individuals were seriously injured – one in Toulouse and one in Clermont‑Ferrand – and the damage to businesses has been estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros.
The unrest comes just six months before France’s presidential election, and both the opposition and government blame each other for the escalating discontent.
