France Erupts in Nationwide Protests as Violence Spreads

France is experiencing nationwide chaos, with riots, fires, and violence erupting in multiple cities. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the "extreme violence" and vowed not to be intimidated, as demonstrators stormed town halls and looted shops, leaving a devastating initial toll. In Paris, police faced around 30,000 people, with violent groups setting cars and kiosks ablaze and looting businesses. Nationwide, 1,200 arrests were made, including incidents in Marseille, where protesters stormed the city hall, and Lyon, where a tourism office was set on fire. In Saint-Étienne, a man lost a hand in a grenade explosion. The protests, initially called by unions over high living costs and poor learning conditions, were marred by violence. Lecornu accused far-left groups of using the unrest for political gain ahead of the presidential election, while opposition leaders traded blame over the chaos.