French police clash with protesters in cost-of-living demonstrations

French police used tear gas and clashed with protesters in several cities on Saturday during a wave of demonstrations against the high cost of living and public services, marking some of the most violent unrest in the country in recent years. Authorities reported 140 protests involving 32,800 people outside Paris by noon, attributing violence to far-left groups. The movement began last month in high schools in poor northern suburbs, expanding from demands for more teachers to broader criticism of inequality and declining purchasing power. Violence included vandalism in Marseille and attacks on police and journalists, prompting security reinforcements. The protests evoke the "yellow vests" movement from 2018, as France faces record borrowing costs and scrutiny of police conduct amid dozens of injury complaints.