On October 24, large-scale protests erupted across France in response to rising living costs and deteriorating educational conditions, with clashes reported between demonstrators and police in some areas, including Paris. Authorities deployed 70,000 police officers to prevent a recurrence of violence, but some protesters responded with projectiles, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannons. Nearly 1,000 arrests were made.
According to the French Interior Ministry, approximately 410,000 people participated in the protests nationwide, a decrease from 550,000 the previous weekend. However, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), a major labor union, estimated participation at around 800,000. In Paris, the government reported 110,000 participants, while the CGT claimed 250,000.
In response to violence during last week's protests, which included looting and vandalism, authorities increased police presence by 10,000 officers compared to the previous week. Helicopters and armored vehicles were also deployed to monitor and respond to the protests. Authorities allowed only union-organized gatherings and imposed bans on protests in certain cities.
Despite heavy security, the main marches began peacefully. However, clashes occurred in Paris and other areas as some masked and hooded protesters engaged in sporadic violence, leading police to disperse crowds with tear gas and water cannons.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated, "Nearly 1,000 arrests have been made, and this number is expected to rise," criticizing far-left groups for escalating violence.
Clashes continued in various locations across France. The Interior Ministry reported a total of 289 protests nationwide. In Marseille, some youths set fire to trash bins and threw stones and bottles at police, while some shops were looted. In Lyon, despite a ban on gatherings, around 10,000 people marched, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The protests began last month when students at a high school near Paris protested against poor educational conditions. Their demands for increased education funding attracted workers frustrated by high living costs, leading to nationwide demonstrations. What started as a protest over education issues has expanded into broader discontent with the government's economic and social policies.
Concerns are growing that the protests may continue. Additional demonstrations are planned for October 31, and unions have announced a nationwide strike and protests for November 5. This situation poses a political challenge for President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the presidential election in May 2027. Prolonged protests could amplify criticism of the government's social and economic policies.
On the same day, large-scale protests also took place across Europe, including in Spain, Italy, and Albania. According to Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium, police used tear gas and pepper spray against anti-government protesters, while demonstrations continued in several Italian cities and Albania. Analysts suggest that the protests, which began in France over education and living costs, are intertwined with broader political and social unrest across Europe.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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