French protests over living costs draw 146,000, clashes in Paris

Tens of thousands protested across France on Saturday against the rising cost of living, with clashes erupting between police and demonstrators in Paris. The interior ministry reported 146,000 participants nationwide, including 46,000 in the capital, marking the fourth consecutive weekend of demonstrations. Police used tear gas in Paris after a group of about 200 individuals threw projectiles at officers, while a banned Yellow Vests rally near the Élysée Palace was blocked, leading to several arrests. Turnout was lower than previous weekends, following a mass union protest on Thursday that drew up to 1.6 million people according to unions. The protests, sparked by student anger in late September, come five months before presidential elections where far-right candidate Marine Le Pen leads polls. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu will meet unions Monday to discuss wages, while student groups have called for a strike Tuesday.