France Experiences Worst Unrest in Years Amid Protests Against Government Spending Measures
France faced its worst unrest in years as protests over high living costs and public service issues turned violent. Approximately 550,000 people participated nationwide on Saturday, with nearly 2,400 arrests reported by the interior ministry. Violent groups clashed with police, leading to looted shops, damaged buildings, and hundreds of millions in business losses. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence as “unbridled” and pledged an uncompromising response without declaring a state of emergency or imposing curfews. He authorized local officials like mayors and prefects to ban gatherings where necessary for public safety. The unrest adds pressure on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s minority government ahead of Tuesday's budget vote, which seeks €54 billion in fiscal savings by 2027. The country faces a growing deficit and record debt levels—€3.6 trillion as of Q2—which have become increasingly costly to service amid rising global interest rates.
Topics: France government budget vote Macron response protest unrest