Clashes follow mass protests across France despite expanded security deployment

Paris, France. Hundreds of thousands marched across France on Saturday over higher living costs and widening inequality, with mostly peaceful demonstrations followed by clashes in Paris and Marseille after dark. A major security deployment had sought to avert a recurrence of the previous week’s unrest.

Turnout estimates differ

The Interior Ministry put nationwide participation at 410,000, while unions estimated twice that number. The largest gathering drew at least 110,000 demonstrators to the southeastern outskirts of Paris.

After the Paris march concluded, the situation worsened rapidly. Riot officers used water cannon and tear gas against about 500 hooded youths, who ultimately dispersed amid cold weather and rain.

Violence spreads to several cities

In Marseille, France’s second-largest city, youths blocked roads with burning rubbish bins and threw bottles and rocks at security personnel. Police reported that several shops had been ransacked, among them two jewellery stores.

Confrontations were also reported in Toulouse, Nantes, Rennes, Lille, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Bordeaux and Lyon.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said groups posing a high risk had emerged at almost every march, separating from other demonstrators to pursue violence. He accused far-left activists and criminal gangs of trying to provoke disorder.

Authorities increase police presence

Authorities mobilised 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, an increase of 10,000 compared with the previous week. They had acknowledged underestimating the extent of the October 17 unrest.

Speaking to reporters, Nunez said the violence was less severe than the looting and vandalism witnessed a week earlier. He attributed the difference to better anticipation.

The minister also said far-right activists had tried to confront leftist groups in Nice and Montpellier, both southern cities, potentially creating another front in the disturbances.