18 October, 2026, 02:05 pm
Last modified: 18 October, 2026, 02:09 pm
France is facing nationwide unrest as protests escalate into violent clashes, leaving at least 1,200 people arrested and 150 police officers injured. An estimated 550,000 people took to the streets, with demonstrations spreading across multiple cities.
Initially sparked by student concerns over school staff shortages and deteriorating facilities, the protests expanded to include trade unions and yellow vest demonstrators amid growing concerns over the cost of living. Paris witnessed burning vehicles, looted shops and fires, while major buildings in Limoges and Lyon were also damaged.
President Emmanuel Macron has warned that attacks on public buildings and businesses will be punished. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the violence as political tensions rise ahead of the next presidential election, with Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon offering contrasting views on the unrest.