Violent Clashes Erupt in Paris as 500,000 Protest Rising Inflation
Violent clashes broke out between police and protesters in Paris and other French cities on Saturday during nationwide demonstrations against soaring inflation, leaving one demonstrator with a severely injured hand and several businesses damaged by fires and looting.
The unrest saw multiple fires set and looters breaking into dozens of stores, stripping some of them of their goods, as security forces confronted demonstrators in several locations.
The demonstrations, which drew an estimated 500,000 participants nationwide according to the CGT trade union, targeted rising living costs and drew criticism of President Emmanuel Macron and his government. Authorities had not immediately released their own estimate of the turnout.
The protests followed weeks of student demonstrations and added to political uncertainty in France, with the country preparing for elections in six months to replace Macron.
The scale of the unrest has renewed attention on public frustration over inflation and the government’s handling of economic pressures.
Violent Clashes Erupt in Paris as 500,000 Protest Rising Inflation