‘Attempted murder’: Molotov cocktail hits police officer as France protests escalate

A police officer was struck by a Molotov cocktail during clashes in Paris on Saturday, as demonstrations over rising living costs and deteriorating public services turned violent in several French cities. The interior ministry said 565 people had been arrested across France. Four police officers and one gendarme were injured in Paris, with three officers suffering burns from Molotov cocktails. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez said around 150 planned demonstrations had passed off peacefully but condemned what he described as an “extraordinary” level of violence by some groups as the rallies ended.

An estimated 320,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country, down from 410,000 the previous weekend, according to the interior ministry. Around 70,000 marched in Paris, where protesters set off from Porte de Bagnolet and headed towards Porte de Charenton, largely avoiding the city centre. The march was mostly peaceful until it reached its final destination. Dozens of masked people dressed in black used hammers to prise up paving stones and throw them at police, while at least one incendiary device was hurled at security forces, AFP journalists reported. Police responded with tear gas and baton charges. The Paris police prefecture said several hundred rioters had attacked officers with projectiles.

The violence came despite a major security deployment. Nuñez had announced that 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, including elite units, would be deployed across the country, warning that Saturday was expected to be a high-risk day. He described the attack on the police officer with a Molotov cocktail as an “attempted murder”.

The demonstrations brought together school students, trade unions and Yellow Vest protesters, united by anger over the cost of living, widening inequalities and the state of public services under French president Emmanuel Macron’s government. Some protesters wore Halloween costumes, carrying placards and slogans reflecting their anger. In Lyon, clashes broke out after protesters threw projectiles at police, who responded with tear gas. In Toulouse, officers used water cannon against an unauthorised demonstration attended by several thousand people, mostly young protesters. Student groups said they planned further high school and university blockades on Tuesday and Thursday, before joining a demonstration called by workers and trade unions on November 5.

In Germany, police used water cannon to disperse crowds after youth-led demonstrations organised by the group “Gen Z regelt!” turned violent in several cities. The rallies, held under the slogan of better education, healthcare, climate action and affordable living, had largely remained peaceful before clashes broke out towards the evening. In Frankfurt, at least two stores were looted and several others damaged, while police struggled to regain control, according to a Reuters witness. In Cologne, officers used water cannon after protesters allegedly targeted them with fireworks. In Berlin, demonstrators threw bottles and eggs, while protesters in Hamburg set barricades on fire, Bild reported.

Fresh anti-government protests also took place in Albania’s capital, Tirana, where demonstrators renewed calls for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. A march outside the education ministry turned violent when masked youths threw paving stones and firebombs at police and set rubbish bins alight. Police were also on alert in Barcelona after an anonymous TikTok network called Blocus urged fresh gatherings, and in Italy following recent clashes in Milan, Turin and Bologna.