More than 1,200 arrested as cost-of-living protests spread across France

More than 1,200 people were arrested in France on Saturday 17 October as nationwide protests over living costs, fuel prices and public services were followed by clashes in several cities.

The Interior Ministry put turnout at 550,000, including 110,000 in Paris, Al Jazeera reported. The CGT union, which backed the protests, said 800,000 people took part, according to The Guardian.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said late on Saturday that 1,200 people had been arrested and 150 police officers injured. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the marches had been taken over by “opportunistic delinquents” and that the government was not planning to declare a state of emergency. The ministry blamed the violence on what it called the “ultra-left”.

Both outlets reported that most marches were peaceful. In Limoges, the regional prefect said the town hall was “largely lost” to a fire set by masked protesters. In Marseille, protesters briefly entered the town hall.

The movement began in September with high-school protests in Paris suburbs over building conditions and teacher shortages. It has since drawn in unions, farmers and supporters of the 2018 “yellow vests” movement. The CGT is calling for “higher wages and pensions, lower prices” and protection of public services.

President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that the right to protest “comes with the need to respect” people and property.