France Erupts in Protests as Police Clashes Revive Yellow Vest Fears

Clashes and protests erupted across France on Saturday as multiple demonstrations converged, with blockades and violent confrontations with police raising fears of a return to the "yellow vests" movement. Over 90 mobilizations and 500 protests paralyzed the country, with 200 people detained by early afternoon. The protests were sparked by a TikTok call that gained massive traction, drawing students, workers, and former yellow vest activists together. The unrest comes amid government austerity measures, including pension freezes, as France faces record debt at 119% of GDP and a deficit exceeding 5%, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration under pressure. Police repression has become a flashpoint, with nearly 8,000 young people arrested in four weeks of student protests, including a 15-year-old who lost a hand to a stun grenade. With presidential elections approaching and President Emmanuel Macron having little room to concede, analysts warn the social crisis could deepen.