French anti-government demonstrations enter fourth week, police-citizen clashes erupt in Paris

(Central News Agency, Paris, 7th, comprehensive foreign news reports) Tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest across France today, and some demonstrators in Paris clashed with the police. This is the fourth consecutive weekend of demonstrations against the rising cost of living in France. Now there are only five months left before the presidential election. The far-right also sees this election as the best opportunity to seize power.

The French Interior Ministry stated that a total of 146,000 people participated in demonstrations across the country today, including 46,000 in Paris; trade unions estimated that 250,000 people took to the streets nationwide. Although the number was lower than the previous three weekends, France just held a large-scale trade union demonstration on the 5th. The authorities estimated that 575,000 people participated, and the unions said that there were 1.6 million people.

An AFP reporter pointed out that when the Paris demonstration was coming to an end, some demonstrators threw objects and homemade fireworks at the police, and the police fired tear gas. Police said about 200 violent men attacked law enforcement officers as they arrested a man who set fire to a trash can.

France today deployed about 70,000 security personnel to respond quickly if demonstrations turn violent. The massive demonstrations on October 17 turned into the most serious riots in France in years. The unions followed their usual march route from Place de la République in central Paris to Place de la Nation, and clashes broke out at the end of the march.

On the other hand, the Yellow Vests movement called for another demonstration in Place de la Concorde, but the authorities banned it. About 100 people who arrived at the scene were surrounded by police, and movement coordinator Benjamin Ball and spokesperson Azelma Sigaux were also arrested. Hundreds more people gathered without permission and blocked roads in the southeastern city of Lyon, and police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.

This wave of demonstrations was launched at the end of September by high school students dissatisfied with the campus environment, and was later joined by college students. Student union spokesperson Sabine Kharbach said that the government has not yet provided a satisfactory response, so young people continue to mobilize.

Demonstrations also hit businesses. Jean Emile Moulinier, manager of a store in Paris, said that if the situation continues, it may soon lead to disaster. Many shops in Paris and other cities have boarded up their windows and closed operations to prevent looting.

At present, the government is constrained by the huge national debt and it is difficult to come up with solutions. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is scheduled to meet with representatives of trade unions and employer groups on the 9th to discuss wages and purchasing power issues. Student and teacher groups called for another class strike on the 10th, demanding an increase in education spending.

Polls show that far-right candidate Marlene... Marine Le Pen is a popular candidate for the 2027 presidential election, and her current main competitor is far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon. Melanchon told about 20,000 supporters at a rally outside Paris today that "we will win" and called for "everything must change".

According to Reuters, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said that the home of a police officer in the southwestern city of Auch was destroyed by fire today, and the authorities suspected that it was a deliberate attack.

"There are indications that this intolerable crime was motivated by the officer's professional status," Nunez said.