Fresh France Protests Over Living Costs Lead To 1,314 Arrests, 53 Officers Injured

Fresh cost-of-living protests across France resulted in 1,314 arrests, 53 security personnel injured and 24 shops looted on Saturday, October 24, as demonstrations escalated into clashes with police. The Interior Ministry released the updated figures on Sunday, following a deployment of 70,000 police officers and gendarmes to prevent a repeat of the previous weekend’s widespread rioting and vandalism.

The demonstrations spread across Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lille and Montpellier. Authorities recorded 289 demonstrations nationwide, estimating attendance at 410,000, including 110,000 in Paris. The organising CGT trade union put the nationwide turnout at 800,000, including 250,000 in the capital. The figures were provisional.

The protests have been fuelled by anger over rising living costs, economic inequality, education funding and deteriorating public services. Demonstrators have also criticised government policies and restrictions on the right to protest.

In Paris, authorities changed the main march route from Bastille to Porte d’Italie, on the southeastern edge of the capital, prompting criticism from unions and protesters. Many shops boarded up their windows amid fears of looting, while the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay museums closed for the day.

Although much of the march remained peaceful, clashes erupted in several cities. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Nantes, Lyon and Nice. In Marseille, confrontations followed the departure of union stewards. Authorities also reported a severe hand injury to a protester in Toulouse and another hand injury in Clermont-Ferrand. A demonstrator in Poitiers reportedly suffered an eye injury.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had warned that violence would not be tolerated. Before the marches, police arrested 135 people and seized fireworks, metal balls, slingshots, improvised weapons and an airsoft weapon.

The latest unrest follows demonstrations on October 17, when the ministry reported 2,628 arrests, 1,144 security personnel injured and 1,522 shops affected by looting or damage. The reinforced security operation aimed to prevent similar destruction.

The protests come six months before France’s 2027 presidential election, in which President Emmanuel Macron cannot seek another consecutive term. Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party has begun its campaign, adding to political tensions. Separate demonstrations have also targeted Macron and Le Pen.

The Yellow Vests movement, which emerged in 2018 over fuel prices and purchasing power, has called for further protests on October 31. The CGT union has announced another national day of strikes and demonstrations for November 5.