French unions report 1.6 million join cost-of-living protests

French unions report 1.6 million people joined nationwide protests against the rising cost of living, with 350,000 in Paris, according to the CGT union. The Interior Ministry estimated over 600,000 demonstrators, calling the figures preliminary. Protesters opposed price increases, supported student movements, and many voiced strong opposition to the far right. Authorities deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes fearing a repeat of October riots, with special units intervening in Paris, Lyon, and Nantes. Demonstrations remained relatively peaceful, marking the third wave of protests on November 5 across 73 cities.