France's protests turn violent with looting and fires

France faced nationwide unrest on Saturday as looting, fires, and clashes with police erupted during cost-of-living protests, with 1,200 arrests and 150 officers injured, deepening political uncertainty ahead of presidential elections in six months. The violence followed demonstrations attended by up to 800,000 people, where gangs looted shops in major cities, torched town halls, and targeted police compounds. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu condemned the "extreme intensity" of the violence, while President Emmanuel Macron vowed prosecution of perpetrators. The protests, sparked by inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, drew parallels to the French Revolution and the Yellow Vest movement. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen blamed far-left rival Jean-Luc Melenchon for legitimizing violence, as both seek to replace Macron in the upcoming election.