Violence erupted in Paris and several other French cities on Saturday after largely peaceful demonstrations drew hundreds of thousands of protesters, with more than 1,300 people arrested nationwide as unrest over rising living costs, poor education facilities and government policies continued.
French police fired tear gas and water cannons at masked demonstrators in Paris, while clashes and vandalism were reported in Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and several other cities, Reuters reported.
The Interior Ministry said around 410,000 people participated in nationwide demonstrations, although trade unions estimated turnout at approximately 800,000. Authorities reported 1,314 arrests and 53 injured police officers as around 70,000 security personnel were deployed across the country.
Clashes erupt as police tighten security
At least 110,000 protesters marched through Paris, where demonstrations remained largely peaceful until groups of masked youths confronted riot police after the main rally ended.
Around 500 hooded protesters reportedly threw projectiles at security forces, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannon.
In Marseille, demonstrators set rubbish bins ablaze, erected barricades and hurled stones and bottles at police. Several shops, including jewellery stores, were reportedly looted.
Clashes also erupted in Lyon, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lille, Nantes and Toulouse, with police using tear gas to disperse crowds.
Authorities reported more than 1,300 arrests nationwide, while 53 police officers were injured. Two protesters sustained serious injuries in Toulouse and Clermont-Ferrand.
The government deployed around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, 10,000 more than the previous weekend, to prevent a repeat of the widespread violence that left thousands of businesses damaged.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the increased security presence had helped contain the unrest.
"What changed was anticipation," he told reporters.
Much of central Paris remained under tight security, with luxury shops boarding up windows, major museums closing and more than 20 metro stations shutting down.
Student protests fuel wider unrest
The protests began last month when students demanded improvements to overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school buildings and teacher shortages.
However, the movement has since expanded into broader demonstrations against economic inequality, rising prices and President Emmanuel Macron's government.
Hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon warned that protests could continue unless Macron addressed public grievances.
"Given the current situation, I think he will come to understand that this will happen again every week," he said.
The unrest comes as Macron approaches the end of his presidency, with France preparing for elections next year.
Protests spread across Europe
In Italy, demonstrations against rising living costs and government policies continued, with clashes reported in several cities. Milan saw a heavy security deployment aimed at preventing a repeat of the previous weekend's violence.
In Portugal, police dismantled housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto early Sunday, arresting 31 people.
Protesters condemned soaring rents, housing shortages and government proposals to ease evictions and end rent caps.
Meanwhile, Albanian riot police used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets against demonstrators in Tirana on Saturday.
Student-led protesters demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation threw stones at police and set fires near government buildings amid growing anger over alleged corruption, unemployment and poor education standards.
In Belgium, police also used tear gas and pepper spray during clashes with anti-government protesters in Brussels.