World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Police arrest 1,314 at French protests over cost of living
French police arrested 1,314 people during weekend protests across the country, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday.
The demonstrations took place in major cities on Saturday, with violence breaking out on their margins.
Protesters were demonstrating over the high cost of living.
The ministry said 53 officers were hurt, police dealt with 75 fires and 24 shops were looted.
Officials also reported serious injuries to protesters, but the ministry did not give a total for how many protesters were hurt.
It was not clear whether the reported injuries were caused by police grenades or tear gas, and investigations have been opened in at least some cases.
The unrest came as France prepares for presidential elections in April and May to choose a successor to Emmanuel Macron, who is reaching his two-term limit.
Police arrested 1,314 people during protests over the cost of living across France on Saturday, the Interior Ministry said Sunday.
The ministry said 53 officers were injured, police responded to 75 fires and 24 shops were looted.
Demonstrations were mostly peaceful, but clashes broke out in several cities as night fell.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez estimated turnout at 410,000, while the CGT union said it was nearly double that figure.
The protests began over school funding and broadened to other complaints, increasing pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
- Who
- Police arrested 1,314 people. Protesters and police were involved in clashes.
- What
- Protests over the high cost of living took place across France, with violence on the margins.
- When
- Saturday, October 24, 2026; the arrest total was reported Sunday, October 25.
- Where
- Across France, including Paris, Marseille, Toulouse and Clermont-Ferrand.
- Why
- Protesters were demonstrating over rising living costs and growing inequality; the protests had initially focused on school funding.
Laurent Nuñez
CGT union
Estimated nationwide turnout
Laurent Nuñez
Nuñez estimated turnout at 410,000.
CGT union
The CGT said turnout was nearly double Nuñez’s estimate.
Hundreds of thousands of people took part in protests across France, with clashes reported as night fell.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez cited two serious injuries among protesters, one in Toulouse and one in Clermont-Ferrand.
The Interior Ministry reported 1,314 arrests and 53 officers injured.
- Arrests
- 1,314
- Police officers injured
- 53
- Fires
- Police responded to 75
- Shops looted
- 24
- Nuñez turnout estimate
- 410,000
3 sources
What people are saying
calm