Protests against the high cost of living in France have led to riots and looting, with over half a million participants and 2,500 arrests. Macron vows firm action and criticises foreign leaders for exploiting the unrest.
01Summary
- 01More than 500,000 people gathered across France on Saturday to protest high living costs and demand better school conditions.
- 02At least 2,500 people were arrested after riots broke out, with shops looted in some areas.
- 03Macron said he would meet intelligence services before planned protests on Saturday and adopt measures to restore calm and security.
- 04He criticised foreign leaders, appearing to refer to US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, for making unsubstantiated claims about the protests.
- 05France's Yellow Vest movement has filed plans for a large protest in Paris this weekend, and the prime minister has pledged a massive deployment of police and military.
02Why it matters
This matters as France faces continued social unrest over living costs, with the government's response and accusations of foreign interference shaping public debate ahead of further protests.
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