Almost 600,000 protesters flooded streets across various cities across France in a fresh round of street protests as trade unions strike over several cuts to public services and the cost of living.
Chaos erupted in some cities in this latest round of street demonstrations, as trade unions put pressure on the government to stop the cuts. These fresh protests marks the largest day of nationwide strikes and demonstrations since the student’s and anti-government protests began in September.
Striking teachers, hospital staff and rail workers joined high school and university students in largely peaceful demonstrations in Paris and other cities on Thursday amid a high police presence.
Riot police fire tear gas and confront protesters as nationwide demonstrations escalate, prompting authorities to deploy 70,000 police officers across the country. The demonstrations come as unions warn of rising living costs, wages and pensions failing to keep pace, and mounting layoffs.
The Eiffel Tower and several museums were closed in Paris and a high school near Toulouse was set on fire as clashes erupted between protesters and police officers.
The interior ministry reported 448 arrests were made across France during the protests, adding that the figures remained “provisional at this stage” and would be “finalised in the coming hours”.
The interior ministry also reported 53 injured police officers and “86 fire-related interventions”.
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