France faces 'dramatic' situation after cost-of-living protest turns violent

France faced a "dramatic" situation on the law enforcement front and beyond, following a protest against the high cost of living that was marred by violence and looting, with officials describing the state as "overwhelmed" and the police response as "undersized." The mobilization drew 550,000 people nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, far exceeding initial estimates of 150,000 to 230,000, leading to scenes compared to a mix of the Yellow Vests movement, the 2023 Nahel riots, and PSG's Champions League victory celebrations, but "in XXL." Critics cited poor intelligence estimates and a lack of political response, with some police unions reporting extreme violence, including attempts to kill officers. Experts and mayors highlighted a deep disconnect between the government and social realities, noting that rioters included ordinary citizens seizing goods amid the chaos, while sociologists argued that the state's crisis management approach fails to address the permanent emergency faced by those in precarious situations.