France Protests Turn Violent, 565 Arrested as 3.2 Lakh Take to Streets Over Rising Costs

France witnessed another major wave of nationwide protests on Saturday, with 320,000 people taking to the streets over rising living costs, economic inequality and deteriorating public services. However, largely peaceful demonstrations turned violent in several cities, prompting police to arrest 565 people across the country.

According to the French Interior Ministry, around 70,000 people participated in the main demonstration in Paris alone. The latest turnout was lower than previous rallies, which attracted approximately 550,000 people on October 17 and 410,000 on October 24.

Clashes erupted in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse and Marseille after groups of masked protesters confronted security forces. Police deployed tear gas, water cannons and baton charges to disperse rioters. In Paris, a police officer was struck by a Molotov cocktail, while four police officers and one gendarme were injured, three of them suffering burns.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the violence, describing the firebomb attack on the police officer as attempted murder. He said the demonstrations had remained largely orderly but accused radical groups of attacking security personnel.

Authorities had deployed approximately 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide to prevent a repeat of the violence witnessed during the October 17 demonstrations. In Paris, police moved the main march away from the city centre following security concerns and a legal battle over the proposed route. Night-time restrictions were also imposed in parts of the capital.

The protests, which began with students in September, have expanded to include trade unions, Yellow Vest activists and citizens frustrated with inflation, high fuel prices, education facilities and strained public services. The movement has also broadened its demands to include greater protection of civil liberties and the right to protest.

The unrest is taking a heavy economic toll. France's Chamber of Commerce estimates that retailers have suffered losses exceeding 1 billion euros over three weeks, with the overall impact potentially higher when lost revenue and uninsured damage are included.

Meanwhile, student groups have vowed to organise fresh school and university blockades next week, including on November 5, when trade unions have called for another demonstration.

The continuing unrest comes as President Emmanuel Macron's government faces mounting economic and political pressure, with public debt nearing 120 per cent of economic output and the economy contracting in the third quarter.