In brief
On Saturday, France saw 779 arrests during large‑scale protests weighing on 320,000 demonstrators nationwide, with 70,000 in Paris. A homemade explosive injured a security officer, prompting a prosecutor’s office investigation on suspicion of attempted murder. The Interior Ministry’s figures, relayed by BFM TV, highlight the government’s response to ongoing cost‑of‑living grievances.
On Saturday, France recorded 779 arrests in a wave of protests against the rising cost of living, according to Xinhua and figures released by the French Interior Ministry and reported on Sunday by television channel BFM TV.
About 320,000 people joined the marches across the country, and the ministry logged 70,000 demonstrators in Paris by 5 p.m. (1600 GMT). While most city displays passed off peacefully, tensions rose during the dispersal of protestors in several cities, leaving a number of confrontations with police.
In Paris, a homemade explosive detonated at the feet of a security officer near Porte de Charenton in the 12th arrondissement, leaving him slightly injured. The Paris prosecutor’s office said the incident prompted an open investigation on suspicion of attempted murder.
The rollout of arrests and the explosive incident underscore a sharp rise in public protests over living costs, reflecting a growing dissatisfaction with government policy. The Interior Ministry’s tally came after BFM TV cited official documents and confirmed the detentions were part of an organised operation to maintain public order.
