Clashes between police and demonstrators during protests in France

Clashes broke out between demonstrators and police in France on a nationwide day of protests against high living costs. In Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg, officials used tear gas and batons against protesters, the Interior Ministry said.

In Marseille, demonstrators tried to break into a police station and looted shops. According to the Paris police prefecture, around 100 people were arrested because they were carrying weapons and other prohibited items. French President Emmanuel Macron had warned people the evening before to protest peacefully.

The Interior Ministry recorded 140 protests across France with 32,800 participants at midday. So far, 166 people have been arrested across the country. Demonstrations are planned in Paris and many other cities in the afternoon. In total, up to 170,000 demonstrators are expected, with between 30,000 and 60,000 in Paris alone.

Strong mobilization of the ultra-left scene

The Interior Ministry said that the protests saw a very strong mobilization of the ultra-left scene, which was solely intent on causing unrest. There are targeted, violent attacks by masked people who form black blocs, particularly in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers.

The ministry reported attempts at looting, attacks on law enforcement officers, arson in public spaces and targeted attacks on authorities and the media. Around 100 masked people blocked access to the right-wing TV channel CNews in Paris, media reported. The building also houses the radio station Europe1.

The call for protest cannot be clearly assigned to any organization

Pupils and students who have been demonstrating for better learning conditions and better equipment in schools also want to join the day of protest, which has been announced for a long time. The call for protest, which cannot be clearly assigned to any organization and was spread via social media, is also about high fuel prices, low wages, the large number of low-paid workers and problems in agriculture and the fire department.

There is also a call for a new edition of the yellow vest movement. This had kept France in suspense for a long time with its protests in 2019 and spread out of nowhere. The trigger at the time was a planned increase in taxes on fuel. This quickly gave rise to a broader movement against the high cost of living and social injustice, which hampered Macron during his first term in office.