Politics · India Bureau
French protests against living costs draw 320,000 as momentum wanes
France's Interior Ministry said 320,000 people took to the streets on Saturday to demonstrate against surging living costs, marking a decline in turnout from earlier mass protests this month. The figure includes 70,000 participants at the main Paris rally, which authorities relocated outside the city centre.
LSN India ·
The latest nationwide demonstrations reflected growing public discontent over inflation and household expenses gripping France, though attendance fell short of earlier mobilisations. The government's turnout estimate of 320,000 represented a significant drop from protests on October 17, which drew more than 500,000 people across the country, and October 24 demonstrations that attracted 410,000 participants.
Paris saw the heaviest concentration of Saturday's protesters, with authorities estimating 70,000 people joined the main demonstration in the capital. French police implemented last-minute security measures to relocate the rally away from central Paris, a move aimed at preventing potential unrest near government buildings and major tourist attractions.
The Interior Ministry's figures typically differ from organiser estimates, which tend to be significantly higher. The diverging numbers reflect longstanding disagreements between authorities and protest organisers over actual attendance at demonstrations.
The declining turnout in Saturday's protests suggests the momentum of earlier October marches may be losing steam, though organisers have indicated plans for continued action as France grapples with cost-of-living pressures affecting millions of households across the nation.