ABOUT 410,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday to protest deteriorating school conditions and the rising cost of living, as a heavy security deployment sought to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred demonstrations the previous weekend.
The Interior Ministry said 110,000 people marched in Paris, while the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), one of the country’s largest trade union confederations, estimated that turnout nationwide and in the capital was nearly double the official figures.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said nearly 1,000 people had been arrested nationwide, describing the level of violence as extremely high.
More than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed across the country, about 20 per cent more than during the previous weekend’s demonstrations, as authorities tightened security following widespread looting, vandalism and clashes on Oct 17.
In Paris, the march began at Porte d’Italie and proceeded towards Porte de Vincennes along the city’s southeastern perimeter. The atmosphere was initially festive, with students, teachers, environmental activists, nurses and union representatives marching and chanting slogans.
Aljazeera reported tensions escalated towards the end of the demonstration when police fired tear gas and used water cannon to disperse the crowd. Authorities said about 500 people they described as rioters clashed with security forces.
The decision to prohibit the originally negotiated route through central Paris and restrict the march to the city’s outskirts angered demonstrators, some of whom accused the government of trying to weaken the movement.
“Changing a protest route at the last minute really gives the impression that the government wants to render the movement invisible,” said Monica, a retired public education worker who took part in the march.
Security restrictions also affected daily life in the capital, with at least 24 Metro stations closed at police request. Major cultural institutions, including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, shut for the day, while some businesses boarded up their shopfronts or hired private security.
Protests were also banned in several city centres, including Montpellier, Rouen and Nice. Clashes were reported in Marseille, while police in Lyon used tear gas to disperse about 150 demonstrators.
The movement began in mid-September, when secondary school students blocked access to schools to protest deteriorating facilities, teacher shortages and what they regard as an unfair university admissions system.
It has since broadened into a wider expression of discontent over living costs, inequality and President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership.
Macron met student representatives on Friday for the first time since the protests began, promising additional teachers and a major overhaul of Parcoursup, the university admissions platform. However, student representatives said they would continue mobilising until the government announced concrete measures.
The unrest comes six months before France’s next presidential election. Macron, who cannot seek a third consecutive term, is due to leave office in 2027.
The protests have also intensified political debate over public order, with the far-right National Rally seeking to capitalise on concerns about violence. Party president Jordan Bardella was re-elected on Saturday with nearly 99 per cent of the vote, ahead of a planned campaign rally with party leader Marine Le Pen on Sunday.
Organisers have announced another nationwide protest for next Saturday. - October 25, 2026