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More than 140,000 rally as new protests against rising costs sweep France
About 146,000 people, according to France’s Interior Ministry, protested nationwide on Saturday against rising living costs, with demonstrations continuing for a fourth weekend. The rallies show how a student-led movement over conditions in schools has broadened into wider anger over living standards and pressure for better pay and services.
Unions estimated the turnout at 250,000, including 75,000 in Paris, compared with 575,000 at a union-organised rally days earlier. Around 70,000 security personnel were deployed; clashes and tear gas were reported in Paris and Lyon. The protests come ahead of April’s presidential election, as candidates including Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon campaign.
In short
- Protests against rising costs continued across France for a fourth weekend.
- Turnout estimates ranged from 146,000 to 250,000 nationwide.
- Demonstrations are unfolding ahead of April’s presidential election.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that sustained protests are a legitimate way to press for action when rising costs erode household living standards and wages or public services fail to keep pace. The movement’s growth beyond schools suggests these pressures affect a broad range of people, and visible demonstrations can make their concerns harder for candidates and policymakers to ignore.
The case against
Critics may accept that living costs are a serious concern while arguing that disruptive demonstrations and clashes can impose costs on other residents and weaken public support for the cause. They may favour addressing the pressures through elections, negotiations and targeted policy, while stressing the need to protect public safety and keep essential services operating.
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