500,000 people take part in anti-price protests in France, nearly 400 arrested

लगानी न्यूज

१ कार्तिक २०८३, आईतवार ११:३१October 18, 2026

. Protests across France against rising prices turned violent on Saturday, leading to clashes, arson and widespread looting with police. About 400 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, while a 17-year-old boy lost his right arm after being hit by a crowd control grenade in Saint-Etienne.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 550,000 people took part in the demonstrations. The trade union CGT claimed that 800,000 people participated. Young men wearing masks looted shops in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille and other cities, as well as arson and vandalized cars and government buildings. A fire broke out in a 140-year-old building in Limoges.TAG_OPEN_div_21

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the violence, while President Emmanuel Macron said he would take action against those responsible for the vandalism and looting.TAG_OPEN_div_19

As preparations are being made for the upcoming presidential election, inflation, political discontent and student protests have further intensified the unrest. Protesters say that the war in the Middle East has contributed to the increase in inflation in Europe. The ‘Yellow Vest’ group, which protested against the fuel tax hike eight years ago, called for the ‘Yellow and Youth’ demonstration this time.

Marine Le Pen, the leader of the presidential election contestant, condemned the violence, accusing the party of far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon of legitimizing the violence. Mélenchon, who has been supporting the protests, said the looting was against the rules of his movement and urged people to refrain from it.TAG_OPEN_div_14

TAG_OPEN_div_12 In Paris, protesters chanted slogans demanding Macron’s resignation. Some compared the current movement to the French Revolution of 1789. The head of the student delegation, Riyad Rani, said the government was under pressure and that the disgruntled French people would not back down from their demands.