Paris sees 24,000 march in cost-of-living protests for a fifth Saturday; police fire tear gas

France saw another nationwide round of cost-of-living protests on Saturday (November 14), with tens of thousands taking to the streets. The Interior Ministry said about 106,000 people marched across the country, including 24,000 in Paris — the lowest turnout of recent weekend rallies — while student unions and other organizers put the figures at about 200,000 nationwide and nearly 100,000 in the capital. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, but police fired tear gas in Paris, Bordeaux and Nantes after some protesters set off fireworks and threw objects; the ministry said 219 people were detained nationwide.

A fifth Saturday, with unions calling a strike for Tuesday

It was the fifth consecutive Saturday of large street protests in France, against rising living costs, strained public services and falling educational standards, drawing students, unions, Yellow Vest activists and child-protection groups. The government deployed about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes. Authorities said a BFM TV crew was attacked in Lyon, with equipment stolen or damaged, and one suspect detained. Unions have called a cross-sector strike and demonstrations for Tuesday, November 17, after rejecting the government's promise of a 0.6% minimum-wage rise as "crumbs." Tuesday is also the eighth anniversary of the Yellow Vest movement.

Transport disrupted too, with RER B running reduced service

Paris transport was also affected: the northern section of the RER B ran a reduced service this weekend because of a local labour action, with three out of four trains running between Gare du Nord and Charles de Gaulle Airport; the RER D did not run between Paris Nord and Gare de Lyon, and part of Métro line 12 was closed. From Monday, November 16 to Friday, December 11, RER B service will be suspended every weekday evening from 10:45 p.m. between Châtelet-Les Halles and the airport, with replacement buses.