Paris protests expose French anger over living costs and government response

Widespread rioting in Paris last weekend, sparked by rising living costs, has left residents and business owners feeling abandoned and deeply frustrated with the government's response. The unrest, which damaged thousands of businesses nationwide, has intensified political tensions ahead of next year's presidential election. Shopkeepers and residents expressed shock at the violence, which they distinguished from peaceful protests over economic hardship. Many said they feel unheard by leaders, with anger converging from student, farmer, and worker grievances. Police struggled to contain the chaos, leading to over 2,500 detentions and government promises of a massive security operation for upcoming demonstrations. President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to restore order and address discontent, while imposing curfews and protest bans in several cities. The movement, which began with school funding issues, has expanded to broader social and economic injustice, with similar protests emerging in Italy and Belgium.