Mass protests in France spiral into worst riots in years
While hundreds of thousands protested in street marches in scores of cities, violent fringe groups targeted public buildings, looted and attacked police.
TL;DR
- Rioting broke out in cities across France during demonstrations against rising living costs and declining public services.
- Violent fringe groups targeted public buildings, looted shops, and attacked police vehicles and officers in several cities.
- Hundreds of thousands protested peacefully in street marches across the country.
- French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu condemned the violence, blaming the "far-left" and criminals, and vowed the government would not be intimidated.
- Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported about 400 arrests and stated around 550,000 people participated in the demonstrations.
- President Emmanuel Macron pledged to prosecute and punish those responsible for the attacks.
- Smaller-scale protests related to living costs also occurred in Belgium, Portugal, and Italy.
- Protests in France began last month at high schools and evolved into a broader movement focused on inequality and living standards.
- Police tactics and injuries among demonstrators, including a teenager who lost a hand, have drawn criticism, with a police watchdog investigating allegations of violence.
- A police union warned that police forces were at breaking point due to the constant attacks.