Paris – French police said Saturday’s large‑scale protests against soaring living costs were less violent than earlier demonstrations, but officials warned that tensions could rise again when high schools resume classes on Monday.
Authorities reported that rioters in Paris threw Molotov cocktails at police on the city’s eastern fringe, injuring three officers and setting a vehicle on fire. In another incident near the Eiffel Tower, masked individuals launched fireworks at officers, prompting a police charge that sent nearby visitors fleeing.
Despite these flare‑ups, overall violence was markedly lower than the October 17 unrest, when a city hall was set ablaze and more than 2,000 shops were looted. Police arrested 779 people on Saturday, compared with 2,628 arrests on Oct. 17 and 1,314 the previous weekend. About 70,000 officers were deployed nationwide.
French government response
President Emmanuel Macron’s administration is focusing on upcoming Thursday actions, including a general strike affecting trains and public services. An official close to the president described Saturday’s protests as “a return to republican order,” while acknowledging the situation was “not perfect.” The official was not named publicly, in line with presidential policy.
Protesters cited a range of grievances, from rodent infestations in classrooms to low‑wage employment and the cost of fuel.
German unrest
Germany saw more than 100,000 mostly young demonstrators march peacefully on Saturday, demanding greater investment in education, housing, climate protection, and affordable daily life. In several cities, the peaceful protests turned violent after dark.
In Frankfurt, rioters attacked police downtown and looted stores, resulting in injuries to over 100 officers and the detention of 54 individuals aged 13 to 29. Police reported damage to 17 shops, five of which were looted. The situation calmed after police cordoned off the city‑center area early Sunday.
Governor Boris Rhein of Hesse condemned the “violent excesses in Frankfurt,” stating that those who engage in such attacks “place themselves outside our society.”
Violence also erupted in Cologne, where police used water cannons to disperse crowds, and in Berlin, where protesters hurled bottles and pyrotechnics at officers.
Organizers and officials weigh in
The youth initiative “Gen Z regelt” (roughly “Gen Z’s got this”) posted on Instagram that it disavows any form of violence and distances itself from violent acts by other groups or individuals.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt blamed “violent left‑wing groups and troublemakers from the immigrant community” for hijacking the peaceful demonstrations, promising that “the rioters and looters will be identified and held accountable.”
Broader European context
Similar protests have spread to Portugal, where police removed demonstrators from Lisbon’s Rossio square after a night of camped‑out protesters demanding more affordable housing. Thousands marched during the day, inspired by a Spanish movement highlighting rising living costs.
Authorities across Europe remain vigilant as the autumn school term begins, preparing for possible blockades and further demonstrations while emphasizing the need for order and public safety.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
