French protests over living costs end in looting and chaos

boursorama.com (French) —

Hundreds of thousands demonstrated across France on Saturday against the high cost of living, but the day ended in rare chaos, with rioters looting and vandalizing until late evening, prompting strong condemnation from the government. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported 550,000 participants, while organizers claimed 800,000. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu cited 1,200 arrests and 150 injured police officers, blaming far-left elements for the violence. President Emmanuel Macron vowed on X that those who "broke" and "looted" would be "pursued and punished," as Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin demanded an "extremely firm" judicial response. Buildings were attacked nationwide, including town halls in Limoges, Lille, and Marseille, with Paris streets "methodically ravaged." One protester lost a hand to a police grenade in Saint-Étienne. Unions called for continued peaceful action, planning a major strike for November 5.


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French protests over living costs end in looting and chaos | News Minimalist