France protests turn violent as 1,200 arrested in cost of living unrest

More than 1,200 people were arrested in France on Saturday as violent clashes, looting, and arson erupted during nationwide protests against education standards and the cost of living, which drew an estimated 550,000 demonstrators. In Paris, riot police used tear gas and water cannon against crowds, with buildings set alight and shops ransacked, while fires damaged a town hall in Limoges and a tourist office in Lyon. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported 150 police officers injured and described an "escalation in violence." The unrest follows weeks of student protests over school shortages, bolstered by trade union members and yellow vest activists. With President Emmanuel Macron leaving office next year, political leaders traded blame, as far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and hard-left rival Jean-Luc Mélenchon positioned themselves ahead of April's presidential election.