More than 140,000 rally as new protests against rising costs sweep France
Summary
About 146,000 people, according to France’s Interior Ministry, protested across France on Saturday against rising living costs; unions estimated the turnout at 250,000. The demonstrations, which began in September over conditions in high schools, have broadened to include concerns about living standards and came amid clashes in Paris and Lyon.Key Facts
- The Interior Ministry counted about 146,000 protesters nationwide, including 46,000 in Paris.
- Unions estimated that 250,000 people demonstrated nationwide, including 75,000 in Paris.
- The protests took place for a fourth consecutive weekend and followed a union-organised rally that drew an estimated 575,000 people.
- About 70,000 security personnel were deployed across France.
- Police used tear gas in Paris and Lyon, and footage showed police charging protesters in Paris.
- Police said about 200 people attacked officers during an arrest in Paris.
- The demonstrations began in September over conditions and limited resources at French high schools, then expanded to address broader grievances.
- Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon were leading polls ahead of France’s presidential election, scheduled for April.
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