Protesters took to the streets across France on Saturday over rising living costs, inequality and declining public services. The demonstrations pose a challenge for President Emmanuel Macron’s government as public frustration grows.
The protest movement began last month at high schools in northern Paris suburbs. Students initially protested teacher shortages and poor school facilities. However, the movement expanded nationwide as demonstrators raised concerns about inequality, weak public spending and falling living standards.
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Authorities deployed a large police presence in central Paris, particularly near major landmarks. Meanwhile, organisers planned hundreds of demonstrations across the country, with tens of thousands expected to participate. Some protesters wearing high-visibility vests blocked roads, while people set rubbish bins on fire in Marseille.
A 19-year-old protester named Lola said high fuel prices and living costs had made daily life difficult. She also criticised violence against students demanding more teachers and better learning conditions. Her comments reflected the wider concerns driving the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Macron is approaching the final stage of his presidency amid political divisions. Efforts to reduce France’s public debt have also failed to reassure investors. As a result, investors have sold French bonds, pushing borrowing costs to their highest levels in more than two decades.
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Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said authorities feared unrest during the protests. The government accused the hard-left France Unbowed party of encouraging the movement, but the party rejected the allegation. In addition, police face criticism over injuries during earlier student demonstrations. An internal police watchdog is investigating at least two dozen alleged cases of police violence.
France suspended stun grenade use during student protests after serious injuries, including an adolescent who lost a hand. However, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said police could use the weapons on Saturday if clashes occurred. Calls on social media also urged members of the Yellow Vest movement to join the protests. That movement began in 2018 over diesel taxes before expanding into broader anger about living costs and inequality.