Politics · 2026-10-17 · Afternoon briefing

French protests over living costs see clashes, over 160 arrests

Violent clashes erupted across France on Saturday as a coalition of students, farmers, and Yellow Jacket activists protested against the rising cost of living and sluggish wages. By midday, the Interior Ministry confirmed over 160 arrests nationwide. Incidents included a tourist office set on fire in Lyon and a police station being vandalized in Marseille, where rioters also entered the city hall.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu labelled the events "urban violence". In response, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez authorised the use of stun grenades, reversing a temporary ban, and instructed police to act with the "utmost firmness". The government is hoping a two-week school holiday, which began Friday, will dissipate the momentum of the protests that originated with student blockades last month.

The political opposition was divided. Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon supported the marchers, while his far-right counterpart, Jordan Bardella, backed the police. Bardella dismissed the demonstrators as "chaos professionals," adding that "working France, which is taking the full brunt of inflation... did not take to the streets today."

Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.

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• France protests: More than 160 arrested as demonstrations turn violent
• Tear gas, clashes hit French cities in cost-of-living protests
• French police clash with protesters as tens of thousands rally over cost of living
• Lyon tourism office set ablaze amid widespread protests across France over cost of living concerns
• Protesters Set Fires and Damage Buildings in Major French Cities Over Living Costs, School Conditions

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