French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Saturday that 1,200 people had been arrested and 150 police officers injured during protests across the country over the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services. President Emmanuel Macron vowed to pursue and punish those responsible for vandalism and looting.
Speaking while visiting police officers in central Paris, Lecornu said it was “a miracle that the toll is not higher,” expressing his support for police and gendarmerie forces, which he said had faced severe violence during clashes.
Macron, for his part, stressed that “there is no place for violence in our Republic,” saying those responsible for vandalizing and attacking government offices and shops, as well as looting public buildings, would be prosecuted and punished. He called for unity in confronting violence while supporting security forces that protect the right to demonstrate.
France witnessed large-scale demonstrations on Saturday, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets to protest rising prices, declining purchasing power and deteriorating public services. Students, trade union members and activists from the Yellow Vest movement took part in the protests.
Authorities said around 550,000 people participated in demonstrations across the country, including 110,000 in Paris. Protests were also reported in several cities, some of which were marked by clashes with police, vandalism, looting and arson.
In Lyon, a tourist office was set on fire, while municipal buildings in Marseille and Lille were damaged after being stormed. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse groups that threw projectiles and fireworks at officers.
The protests follow student and social demonstrations that have taken place across the country in recent weeks, amid political disputes over the causes of the unrest and how it should be addressed. Concerns are also growing that social tensions could deepen amid economic pressures and declining confidence in public institutions.
