Police clash with protesters in Paris as France braces for general strike
Tear gas fired in Paris during third weekend of cost-of-living protests as over 320,000 demonstrate across France ahead of a general strike.
At a glance
- Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters in Paris during a third weekend of nationwide demonstrations.
- More than 320,000 people protested across France and at least 290 were arrested, according to the interior ministry.
- Protests also erupted in Albania, Germany and Italy as youth across Europe demonstrate against economic pressures.
Police fired tear gas and clashed with demonstrators in Paris on Saturday as hundreds of thousands of people marched across France in a third weekend of protests against the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services. The demonstrations come days before a planned general strike.
France's interior ministry said more than 320,000 people took to the streets nationwide and at least 290 protesters were arrested. Police estimated about 70,000 participants in the capital alone. Authorities had deployed heavy security to prevent a repeat of the rioting and looting that occurred two weeks earlier.
The unrest spread beyond France, with protests also reported in Albania, Germany and Italy as young people across Europe voice frustration over economic pressures. BBC correspondent James Waterhouse noted the coordinated nature of the demonstrations.
The country is bracing for a general strike in the coming days as unions press the government for wage increases and better public services. The government has so far resisted major concessions, citing budget constraints.
Source: BBC World.
Questions and answers
- Why are people protesting in France?
- Protesters are demonstrating against the rising cost of living and poor public services, ahead of a planned general strike.
- How many people were arrested in the Paris protests?
- At least 290 protesters were arrested nationwide, according to France's interior ministry.
- Did protests occur outside France?
- Yes, demonstrations also took place in Albania, Germany and Italy as young people across Europe voice similar grievances.
