Up to 800,000 Protest in France as Anger Over Cost of Living Fuels Violence

“Those who commit vandalism, attack public buildings or businesses, or loot - even in our town halls - will be prosecuted and punished,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X late Saturday. By then, around 150 officially approved demonstrations had been held across France. More than 400 people had been arrested, according to police.

Union estimates of the number of demonstrators - at least 800,000 on Saturday - usually differ sharply from figures provided by French police. On Saturday evening, the Interior Ministry said 550,000 people had taken part in the demonstrations.

Traces of violence

In several places, the protests turned violent.

In Marseille, a police station was attacked and, around lunchtime, protesters broke into the town hall. Later on Saturday, protesters also occupied the town hall in Lille. In Lyon, a tourist office was set on fire, and late in the evening flames were also seen coming from the town hall in Limoges.

"I want to say to the French people: they should be proud of the police, who have faced extremely intense violence and are defending our citizens," Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu wrote on X.

Large demonstrations have been held repeatedly in recent weeks, often followed by violence and clashes with police.

At the same time, widespread dissatisfaction with those in power and the political establishment has come from many different quarters. Students and farmers, trade unionists and supporters of the so-called yellow vests have united in their criticism - but are far from agreeing on what the government in Paris should do.

Le Pen sees opportunity

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who is gaining ground ahead of next year's presidential election, chose to intensify her criticism of the incumbent government while also blaming the far left.

"Looting, vandalism and attacks on police - rioters have once again tarnished the demonstrations against the high cost of living," she wrote on X on Saturday morning.

So-called stun grenades have also been used during protests. According to police sources, a protester's hand was blown off by a stun grenade or tear gas canister in the city of Saint-Étienne.

After an earlier demonstration in the city of Lens, where a 15-year-old protester's hand was blown off, authorities called for caution in the use of similar grenades.