France Protests Against High Living Costs Turn Violent in Multiple Cities

France faced nationwide protests against the high cost of living on Saturday, with hundreds of thousands marching and violent clashes erupting in multiple cities, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to vow that those who "broke" and "looted" would be "prosecuted and punished." Organizers claimed 800,000 participants, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez cited 550,000, including 110,000 in Paris, with about 400 arrests. Violence included an arson attack on Limoges' city hall, the sacking of the Gironde prefect's residence, and a protester losing a hand to a police grenade in Saint-Etienne. The mobilization, called by former "gilets jaunes" activists and youth groups six months before the presidential election, also drew students protesting study conditions. Political leaders traded blame, with Marine Le Pen accusing the far-left of hijacking legitimate grievances, while Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticized police tactics and distanced his movement from the violence.