French Protests Turn Violent, Threatening Macron's Government

France is reeling from its worst rioting in years after nationwide protests over education and the cost of living spiraled into widespread violence. The demonstrations, which swept through Paris and several other cities on Saturday, October 17, attracted hundreds of thousands of people demanding action over the rising cost of living, poor school conditions, wages and pressure on public services. The unrest continued into Sunday, with security forces confronting demonstrators in parts of Paris and Marseille. French authorities reported about 2,400 arrests as the situation developed, while nearly 1,000 police officers were reported injured.

The violence that rocked France this weekend as cost-of-living protests degenerated into looting and burning nationwide is raising alert levels across Europe, where elections will be held in at least half a dozen countries next year. While France has a long history of street demonstrations, the intensity of attacks on public buildings, shops and restaurants raised fears of repeat action during a campaign featuring both the far left and far right. President Emmanuel Macron promised a “hard line,” yet even as he made a televised address Sunday night, tensions were still flaring between rioters and police in Paris.