France Deploys 70,000 Police as Cost-of-Living Protests Intensify

France has deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country to prevent further looting, vandalism and violent clashes as nationwide protests over rising living costs, school conditions and public services continue to challenge President Emmanuel Macron’s government.

The security deployment took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, following some of the worst street violence France has witnessed in years during demonstrations the previous weekend.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the mobilisation, warning that authorities would take a firm approach against individuals involved in violence, looting and attacks on public buildings.

The deployment included an additional 10,000 security personnel compared with the previous week. Specialised police units, helicopters, drones, armoured vehicles, mounted officers and water cannon were also deployed to monitor demonstrations and respond to outbreaks of violence.

The heightened security measures came as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators returned to the streets in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other cities to protest against economic hardship, government spending decisions and deteriorating public services.

According to France’s Interior Ministry, approximately 410,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide on Saturday. However, the CGT trade union estimated the turnout at nearly 800,000, highlighting the difference between official figures and those provided by organisers.

In Paris, about 110,000 people took part in demonstrations, according to official estimates.

Although many marches proceeded peacefully, confrontations broke out in several locations as police attempted to contain disturbances. Officers used tear gas in Paris and other cities, while water cannon were deployed in some areas to disperse protesters.

Clashes were also reported in Marseille and Lyon, where groups of hooded youths confronted security personnel.

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Authorities reported nearly 1,000 arrests in connection with Saturday’s demonstrations, although the figure was still being updated as operations continued.

The latest protests followed widespread disorder on October 17, when demonstrations escalated into violence, leaving shops damaged or looted, vehicles burned and public property vandalised.

Reports indicated that approximately 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted during the previous weekend’s unrest, prompting many shop owners to board up their premises ahead of the latest marches.

Several cultural institutions in Paris, including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, closed on Saturday as a precaution against possible disturbances. Some cities also imposed restrictions on demonstrations, while authorities adjusted protest routes to reduce the risk of confrontations in central areas.

The protest movement initially gathered momentum over complaints about conditions in schools, including staff shortages, overcrowded classrooms and demands for improved educational facilities.

It has since expanded into a broader expression of public frustration over the rising cost of living, inflation, inequality and concerns about the quality of public services.

Students and trade unions have called for better funding for schools, improved working conditions, higher wages and stronger measures to ease pressure on household budgets.

The demonstrations have placed additional pressure on Macron’s government, which is facing growing criticism over its handling of economic and social concerns.

Macron met representatives of secondary school students on Friday in an attempt to address some of their grievances. However, student representatives said they remained dissatisfied and wanted concrete proposals from the government before considering an end to the protests.

They subsequently urged students to continue mobilising while awaiting further discussions with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s administration.

The security situation has also heightened political tensions ahead of France’s next presidential election, expected in 2027.

The far-right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, has sought to capitalise on public dissatisfaction, while opposition groups and trade unions have criticised the government’s handling of the demonstrations.

Authorities were also concerned about possible clashes in Orléans, where the National Rally held its party congress alongside planned counter-demonstrations.

The government’s response has attracted criticism from some unions and student groups, which argue that restrictions on protests could deepen public frustration rather than address the underlying causes of the unrest.

Despite the heavy police presence, the demonstrations continued across the country, reflecting the persistence of economic and social grievances.

The CGT union has also called for a nationwide strike on November 5 to protest against the cost of living and planned budget cuts, raising the prospect of further industrial action.

With public anger continuing and security agencies maintaining heightened vigilance, the coming weeks are expected to test the government’s ability to restore calm while responding to demands for improvements in education, living standards and public services.