France witnessed a third consecutive weekend of protests against rising inflation and poor government services. According to the French Interior Ministry, around 3.20 lakh people participated in the protests across the country on Saturday. 70 thousand of them were in Paris. Earlier on 24th October 4.10 lakh people demonstrated and on 17th October 5.50 lakh people demonstrated. Protesters and police clashed in several cities, including Paris, on Saturday. Police tried to disperse demonstrators in Paris. At the same time, tear gas was fired in Lyon and Toulouse. There was also tension in Marseille.
The protest remained peaceful until the afternoon, but violence erupted as the march ended. Officials fear that some people may turn violent during Halloween celebrations. They can also hide their identity by wearing a mask. Interior Minister Laurent Núñez said there was an appeal for violence on Halloween night. Police will take strict action against such people.
4 attempted robbery in the city
According to the Interior Ministry, some groups in Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyon and Marseille broke away from the demonstration and attempted vandalism and looting. The police stopped them. During checking at railway stations and roads, some people were found with items that could be used as weapons. Students, labor unions and people associated with the Yellow Vest Movement participated in the demonstration. They are demanding inflation, higher petrol and diesel prices and reforms in government services. They also want a change in the government of President Emmanuel Macron.
Fear of violence by wearing a mask on Halloween
Shops, businesses and government buildings were damaged in the violence and looting that took place on October 17. Meanwhile, the security forces also failed to handle the situation. Now officials fear that the perpetrators of the violence may hide their identity by wearing Halloween masks. Interior Minister Nunez said police can ban face coverings if there is a threat of law and order.
Demonstrations in Paris were led by left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The protesters wanted to march from the Place de la Nation to the Place de la Bastille, but the administration did not allow it.
Economic pressure on the Macron government increased
President Macron’s government is under pressure to cut government spending amid protests. Ratings agency Fitch changed its outlook on France’s debt to negative on Friday. The country’s public debt is approaching 120% of the size of its economy. The cost of taking a loan is also increasing. France’s economy shrank in the third quarter, according to data released on Friday.
The movement started at the end of September. Initially, students took to the streets against poor school buildings, overcrowding in classrooms and admissions systems in universities. Later labor unions and the Yellow Vest movement also joined it. The government promised to reform the education system and ease fuel prices, but the protesters were not satisfied. Three weeks of violence in France cost shoppers more than 1 billion euros, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
