French protests unite yellow vests and students

Between 70,000 and 140,000 protesters are expected to take to the streets across France today, uniting the "yellow vest" movement with student protests against high fuel prices, falling purchasing power, and cuts to public services. Over 1,400 protest actions are planned nationwide. The "union des colères" aims to combine grievances from the 2018-19 yellow vest movement with ongoing student demonstrations that began in late August. Organizers are spreading actions across the country to prevent security forces from focusing on Paris, where 40,000 protesters are expected, with blockades planned at traffic hubs and oil refineries. The protests come roughly six months before presidential elections, with authorities holding crisis meetings and warning against blocking major roads. Analysts suggest the unrest could benefit far-right leader Marine Le Pen or far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, while potentially boosting centrist figures like Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.