Over 100,000 Join Yellow Vest Protests Across France Over Cost of Living

More than 100,000 people have returned to the streets of France in a new wave of cost-of-living demonstrations organized by the "Yellow Vests" and various youth movements. While authorities reported a decline in turnout compared to previous weekends, the protests remained largely peaceful overall.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, approximately 106,000 people participated nationwide, with 24,000 in Paris. These figures are lower than the previous week's 146,000 nationwide and 46,000 in Paris. However, student unions provided higher estimates, claiming 200,000 participants, including nearly 100,000 in the capital.

For over a month, France has been affected by strikes, mass demonstrations, and high-school blockades. Protesters are voicing grievances over low wages, rising cost-of-living increases, falling educational standards, and police violence. Many demonstrators also targeted President Emmanuel Macron through signs and criticism.

While the general atmosphere was calm, some cities experienced clashes. In Marseille, despite a ban on protests, about 3,500 people took to the streets, leading to the use of tear gas and water cannons. In Lyon, roughly 8,000 people protested, with reports of masked individuals chanting near fires and police using tear gas. Similar reports of tear gas use emerged from Nantes, Bordeaux, and Paris.

Further action is planned as unions have called for a new day of strikes on Tuesday, dismissing a government offer to increase the minimum wage by 0.6 percent as "crumbs". This upcoming demonstration coincides with the eighth anniversary of the Gilet Jaune (Yellow Vest) movement, which began in 2018 due to rising fuel prices and significantly challenged the early Macron government.