France faces mass protests over cost of living as around 1,000 detained

PARIS, Oct. 25 (YPA) – Widespread protests erupted across several French cities on Sunday, organized by student unions, labor organizations, and social movements to denounce the soaring cost of living, pension conditions, educational system challenges, and government security policies.

The demonstrations involved clashes between police and protesters, alongside conflicting turnout estimates. The French Ministry of the Interior reported approximately 410,000 participants, whereas the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) estimated the turnout at 800,000 demonstrators. Participants demanded the scrapping of the “Parcoursup” university admissions system, measures to address teacher shortages, and improved student allowances and services.

Following outbreaks of violence last week, authorities deployed nearly 70,000 police and gendarmerie officers nationwide. Security forces stepped up inspections and surveillance operations, leading to the seizure of items intended for use as weapons and the imposition of demonstration bans in several cities.

In this context, French Interior Minister Laurent Núñez announced that approximately 1,000 individuals had been detained in connection with the protests, with the figure expected to rise. He noted that swift interventions by security forces prevented a recurrence of the attacks on public buildings witnessed on October 17, according to the Ilka News Agency.