Paris, Oct 25 (V7N)- France has witnessed a second week of mass protests against the rising cost of living and the deteriorating state of education, with demonstrations, rallies and clashes between police and protesters reported across the country.
Police detained around 1,000 protesters on Saturday, October 24, as authorities sought to contain the unrest. However, law enforcement agencies managed to prevent major clashes and widespread looting on the scale reported during the previous week's demonstrations, according to BBC News.
The French Interior Ministry estimated that around 410,000 people took part in demonstrations nationwide on Saturday, while trade unions put the figure closer to 800,000. The government deployed approximately 70,000 police officers to maintain public order.
President Emmanuel Macron reportedly instructed authorities earlier in the week to allow only registered trade unions to organise demonstrations. Hundreds of people have also reportedly received prison sentences through expedited court proceedings over violence linked to the previous week's protests.
The main march from Porte de l'Italie to Porte de Vincennes in Paris remained largely peaceful during the afternoon. Tensions escalated towards the end of the procession, however, when clashes broke out between riot police and groups of protesters.
Police used batons and tear gas after masked youths reportedly smashed the windows of a car showroom. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said around 5,000 radical protesters and 500 rioters had gathered towards the rear of the procession and attempted to incite violence.
Demonstrations also took place in Marseille, where protesters set fire to rubbish bins and used materials, including metal roofing sheets, to construct barricades. In Bordeaux, demonstrators were seen removing wooden boards from buildings to block streets.
In Lyon, police fired tear gas after crowds gathered in areas where demonstrations had been prohibited by local authorities. Clashes in Toulouse and Clermont-Ferrand reportedly left at least two people seriously injured.
Protesters said economic hardship and dissatisfaction with the government's response were driving the movement.
A 26-year-old demonstrator identified as Jelli told the media that ordinary people had faced financial difficulties since Macron took office and felt their concerns had gone unheard.
Another young protester said the movement did not support looting but argued that poverty and police violence were contributing to the unrest. The protester added that demonstrations would continue until the government addressed their demands.
Similar demonstrations were reported in other European cities on Saturday. Clashes occurred in Tirana, the capital of Albania, and Brussels, Belgium. In Milan, Italy, authorities deployed additional police and military personnel to prevent clashes and control large gatherings.
The protests come amid growing social and economic tensions in France. With presidential elections reportedly approaching within the next six months, the demonstrations could add to the political pressure on Macron and his administration.
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