Politics · France · 23 hrs ago
France protests draw fewer people, with more actions planned
People protested across France over living costs and problems in education for the fourth Saturday in a row.
The interior ministry counted 146,000 people, while protest organizers said 250,000 took part.
Both estimates were below last Saturday's figures, which ranged from 320,000 to 500,000.
Demonstrations in several cities saw clashes, while the main march in Paris was mostly peaceful before tensions later in the evening.
The ministry said there had been 360 arrests by 7 p.m.
and nearly 40,000 preventive checks across the country.
Education workers and student groups have called for a nationwide strike and demonstrations on Tuesday because they say proposed government measures are not enough.
On Monday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is due to meet labor and employer groups and representatives of high-school and university students.
France’s Interior Ministry said 146,000 people took part in protests across the country, while protest organisers put the figure at 250,000.
Both estimates were lower than the 320,000 to 500,000 participants reported the previous Saturday.
Protests continued in several cities, with clashes and other incidents reported, while the main march in Paris was mostly peaceful.
The Interior Ministry reported 360 arrests nationwide by 19:00 and nearly 40,000 preventive checks.
Education-sector groups and students called for further protests and strikes on Tuesday.
- Who
- Protesters, including unions and student groups, took part. The Interior Ministry and organisers gave different attendance estimates.
- What
- Demonstrations took place over social and education issues, with fewer people reported than the previous Saturday.
- When
- Saturday; further education-sector protests and strikes were planned for Tuesday.
- Where
- Across France, including Paris, Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Strasbourg.
- Why
- Protesters cited high living costs and problems in the education system.
French Interior Ministry
Protest organisers
Nationwide turnout
French Interior Ministry
The ministry said 146,000 people demonstrated.
Protest organisers
Organisers said 250,000 people took part.
A major strike day took place, with the Interior Ministry reporting more than half a million participants and the CGT union confederation reporting nearly 1.6 million.
Demonstrations took place across France; the Interior Ministry reported 146,000 participants and organisers reported 250,000.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was due to meet workers’ and employers’ representatives at a social conference and speak with school and university student representatives.
Education-sector organisations called for a nationwide strike and demonstrations at universities and in research.
- Interior Ministry turnout
- 146,000
- Organisers’ turnout
- 250,000
- Paris turnout
- 46,000
- Nationwide arrests by 19:00
- 360
- Security personnel announced
- 70,000
- Planned education-sector actions
- Tuesday
What people are saying
As expected, the marches were less accompanied by union organisations, and many were not registered.
Young people remain determined and angry.