France braces for fourth weekend of nationwide protests as cost-of-living anger spreads

In brief

• French unions, students and Yellow Vests activists plan rival protests in Paris and elsewhere this weekend.
• Authorities have banned the Yellow Vests gathering at Place de la Concorde and will deploy 70 000 security personnel nationwide.
• The demonstrations follow a week of strikes and clashes, including in Lyon, over rising living costs and school conditions.

Weekend of rival demonstrations

French unions and student groups are due to march through central Paris on Saturday afternoon. Authorities have approved the route, which the organisers frame as a protest against the cost of living and a show of support for young people (France braces for new round of Yellow Vest, student protests – DW) (France braces for more nationwide protests as Yellow Vests urge 'mass disobedience' – France 24). The Yellow Vests movement, which first drew national attention eight years ago with violent demonstrations against a planned fuel tax increase, has refused to join the student rally. Its supporters have instead been called to take part in what it describes as "mass disobedience" at a gathering in Place de la Concorde, which authorities have banned. The square lies near the National Assembly and the Elysee Palace.

Security response

He said authorities would be ready for anyone involved in rioting or looting (Live: France braces for more nationwide protests as Yellow Vests urge 'mass disobedience' – France 24).

Unrest builds through the week

Hundreds of thousands of workers joined a nationwide strike on Thursday, November 5, to protest rising living costs. In Lyon, riot police clashed with demonstrators, fires were set in several streets and water cannons were deployed. Police also fired tear gas in some cities (Mass protests sweep France as huge crowds demand higher wages – France 24) (Clashes erupt in France as ‘Black Thursday’ protests sweep the nation – NBCNews.com). The Interior Ministry reported that several violent acts had taken place within the high school student movement, including a fire that destroyed a student services office at a school near Toulouse after fireworks were set off there. The Eiffel Tower was closed that day because of the strike. Police said the situation was under control but remained tense.

France 24 reported that the demonstrations had been largely peaceful overall, although clashes with police and acts of vandalism had occurred at times. The government has sought to prevent a repeat of the October unrest, while protesters have demanded better public services, including in education, alongside relief from living costs (France faces new protests as government seeks to prevent violence – France 24).

What comes next

This weekend marks the fourth consecutive weekend of mass demonstrations. Student protests over living costs and the condition of schools show no sign of easing (France braces for new round of student and Yellow Vest protests – DW). Whether the banned Yellow Vests gathering in Paris passes without major disorder will shape the government's response in the coming days.

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