Between 550,000 and 800,000 protesters took to the streets across France on Saturday to demonstrate against the rising cost of living, leading to widespread clashes, public property vandalism, and 1,800 arrests nationwide, ara.cat reported. Law enforcement agencies were overwhelmed during the weekend demonstrations in Paris and other cities, according to Lamia El Aaraje, who stated that the capital witnessed levels of violence that she believed had never been seen before.
Protests Erupt Across French Cities Over Cost of Living and Pensions
The weekend demonstrations drew hundreds of thousands of participants protesting against soaring inflation, the rising price of gasoline, the pension system, and cuts to hospital bed capacity. What began weeks earlier as student-led demonstrations expanded into a broader movement involving workers and adults responding to calls originating on TikTok. Protesters voiced deep frustration with the economic policies of President Emmanuel Macron, which economist Thomas Piketty described in Le Monde as marking the decline of macronism.
Interior Ministry Defends Police Response Amid Criticism From Mayors
Laurent Núñez defended the actions of police officers, who faced intense scrutiny following weeks of student protests. On Saturday morning, demonstrators accused police of aggressive crowd containment tactics before marches even began. By afternoon, the situation shifted as protesters threw paving stones and set fire to urban furniture. City leaders across France, including Lyon Grégory Doucet—whose city saw the local tourist office burned—demanded concrete responses at the highest level of the State and warned that societal polarization is fueling the crisis.
Political Leaders and Prime Minister Address the National Crisis
Sébastien Lecornu recently acknowledged that France is experiencing a permanent crisis driven by global conflicts, uncertainty over purchasing power, and inflation. While the government has promised reforms, Lecornu noted that financial constraints limit immediate action due to NATO military spending commitments and European Union budget deficit rules limiting deficits to three percent. Meanwhile, political figures have split over the fallout, with La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon condemning looting and gratuitous violence by writing on X, Aquells que comparteixen la nostra lluita no tenen res a fer en el vandalisme i els saquejos,
while urging people to avoid actions that lack any political meaning, all as anti-government sentiment continues to surge with upcoming presidential elections remaining months away, polls showing Marine Le Pen’s far-right party leading, and La France Insoumise gaining ground in the surveys.
Presidential Address Scheduled
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he will address the nation at 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Related reading
