France’s police have fired tear gas and used water cannons against demonstrators as nationwide protests over economic pressures, deteriorating school conditions and public services continued for a fourth consecutive weekend.
In Paris, police fired tear gas and advanced into crowds at Place de la Nation on Saturday, where thousands had gathered after marching from Place de la République, forcing demonstrators and journalists to retreat from the square.
The demonstration was “largely peaceful, largely quiet”, before police intervened, said journalist Yasin Eken, adding that there had been “a constant back and forth between protesters and police” after officers moved in.
Police also deployed acoustic weapons as officers advanced into the crowds and attempted to disperse demonstrators.
Similar police operations were reported in other cities, with tear gas used against demonstrators in Lyon, while officers charged crowds in Montpellier and deployed water cannons and tear gas in Marseille.
The demonstrations brought together students, workers, trade union members and other citizens demanding higher wages and better-funded schools.
According to the French Interior Ministry, 146,000 people participated nationwide on Saturday, including 46,000 in Paris, while organizers estimated the turnout at 250,000.
Authorities deployed approximately 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across France, supported by armored vehicles, water cannons, and surveillance drones.
The current movement began in late September with student protests over shortages in schools, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient funding, and deteriorating educational conditions.
It subsequently expanded into a broader social mobilization as trade unions and workers joined students, calling for higher pay, improved purchasing power, better working conditions, and greater investment in public services.
On November 5, hundreds of thousands had already participated in nationwide demonstrations and strikes, with the Interior Ministry recording 575,000 participants and the CGT trade union estimating 1.6 million.
The latest demonstrations are maintaining pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government, with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu expected to meet trade unions, employers, and representatives of students on Monday to discuss wages and purchasing power.
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