France protests turn violent in worst unrest in decades

Mass demonstrations across France on Saturday spiraled into the worst violence in decades, with riots erupting in multiple cities as protests against rising living costs and declining public services turned destructive. Violent fringe groups targeted public buildings, looted luxury boutiques, and attacked police, while hundreds of thousands marched peacefully elsewhere. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu blamed the unrest on the "ultra-left" and criminals, vowing the government would not be intimidated, while President Emmanuel Macron promised to prosecute the attackers. Around 550,000 people participated nationwide, with 1,200 arrested, and major incidents included the Limoges city hall being set ablaze and clashes in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. The protests, which began at Paris high schools over teacher shortages, have drawn scrutiny over police tactics after injuries including a teenager losing a hand. Smaller-scale demonstrations also occurred in Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Albania, as Macron faces a fragmented political landscape and high government borrowing costs ahead of the presidential election.