PARIS, October 17. /TASS/. CGT, one of France’s largest trade unions, said that more than 500,000 people took to the streets across the country to protest against price growth and declining purchasing power.
"Over 500,000 people took part," BFMTV quoted the trade union as saying in a statement.
The figure was later officially confirmed by French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. He said 100 rallies were held all across the country, with 550,000 people participating, including 110,000 in Paris.
In turn, student organization L'Union Etudiante estimates the number of participants at 800,000. In all, 1,700 rallies and marches were held all across France, the organization said.
The authorities have not yet published any official numbers.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the unrest and pledged to bring those responsible to justice.
"There is no place for violence in our republic. Those who took part in looting, attacked prefectures and shops, ransacked public facilities, including our mayor’s offices, will be prosecuted and punished," he wrote on the X social network.
The president also expressed his support to police forces.
A series of mass protests against rising fuel prices and the declining purchasing power of the population has been taking place all over France on October 17. In a number of cities, the protests have escalated into riots and clashes with police. By 1:00 p.m. GMT, some 400 people have been detained all over France, including over 160 in the capital.
According to French media reports, cases of looting were registered all across the country, including in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nice and other cities.