France erupts in mass protests: Tear gas, fires and over 400 arrests reported
Photo: Protests in France (Getty Images)
Mass demonstrations and nationwide strikes against rising prices and in support of higher wages took place in France, drawing about 575,000 participants and accompanied by clashes with police, according to Le Figaro and Le Monde.
According to estimates by the French Ministry of the Interior, about 575,000 people took part in the demonstrations on November 5. Meanwhile, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) reported nearly 1.6 million participants in 207 cities.
To maintain order, authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country.
Arrests and clashes
In Paris, the labour march proceeded from Place de la République along Boulevard Voltaire to Place de la Nation. As of the evening, law enforcement had detained 448 people.
As a result of the clashes, 53 law enforcement officers were injured, and fire departments responded to 86 calls. The Ministry of the Interior notes that in many cities, including Rennes, Marseille, Nantes, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg, risky groups consisting of radical and far-left activists had formed.
In the French capital, protesters damaged property along the route, and a fire broke out near Place de la Nation; to extinguish it, police used tear gas and pushed back the crowd.
Strikes in education and government agencies
Railroad workers, hospital staff, postal workers, and about 16% of teachers joined the strike. According to government data, nearly 10% of government employees, 4.6% of local government workers, and about 4% of hospital staff went on strike.
In addition, 81 out of 3,700 secondary schools were blocked, while a high school students' association reported that classes had been suspended at a thousand educational institutions.
Government response and plans
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that on Monday, November 9, he would convene representatives of labour unions and employers for a social conference to discuss wages and purchasing power.
The Minister of Labour and Solidarity has been tasked with concluding preliminary consultations by Sunday.
"The question today is not whether we're going to win" but rather "how much we're going to win," says CGT leader Sophie Binet.
Today's demonstration continued the wave of protests against the high cost of living that took place on October 17, 24, and 31. In particular, according to the Ministry of the Interior, the demonstrations on October 17 drew 550,000 people nationwide.
The unions are demanding higher wages, improved educational conditions, better public services, enhanced social protection, and tax reform.
On October 31, mass protests against rising living costs and the deterioration of public services took place in Paris, Marseille, and other French cities. After peaceful marches, clashes with police broke out. By evening, law enforcement had detained 565 people.
