Amid growing anger over soaring inflation and deteriorating educational conditions, approximately 400,000 people poured onto the streets across France in massive demonstrations. While the French government deployed 70,000 police officers alongside armored vehicles and helicopters—successfully preventing the widespread looting and violence seen the previous week—clashes between protesters and police broke out in various regions, resulting in 1,300 arrests. The protests, which originated in France, are now spreading to other European nations including Spain and Italy, escalating regional tensions.

According to Bloomberg News and other foreign media outlets on the 25th (local time), an estimated 400,000 participants took part in the nationwide anti-inflation protests held the day before. Although this marked a decrease from the roughly 550,000 participants on the 17th, about 110,000 people took to the streets in Paris alone. The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), which spearheaded the demonstrations, estimated the nationwide turnout at 800,000—double the government's official count.

This wave of demonstrations marks the first major gathering since violent unrest shook France last week. During the previous protests, demonstrations degenerated into shop looting and public property damage, bringing the French government's law enforcement capabilities under intense scrutiny.

To prevent a recurrence of the violence, the French government deployed approximately 70,000 security personnel nationwide, including elite counterterrorism units. Authorities also mobilized helicopters and armored vehicles while imposing localized restrictions on demonstrations.

Thanks to this massive show of force, the extreme violence of the previous week was not repeated. However, toward the end of the protests, clashes broke out between a faction of demonstrators and police in major cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Toulouse.

Some protesters, dressed in black and with their faces concealed, fired fireworks at police officers, prompting law enforcement to deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Across the country, approximately 1,300 individuals were arrested.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez attributed the clashes to far-left elements. He criticized them, stating, "They tried to start an uprising and bring it to a violent end," while simultaneously praising the massive police deployment for averting the widespread shop looting and structural damage witnessed the previous week. He emphasized, "We will focus all our resources in the coming days and weeks to counter these threats."

The protests caused significant disruptions to daily life in central Paris. Major metro stations were closed, and renowned cultural landmarks including the Louvre Museum and the Orsay Museum shut their doors for the day. A French Ligue 1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais was also postponed.

Commercial establishments, ranging from luxury boutiques to local grocery stores, boarded up their windows with wooden panels and cleared merchandise from display shelves as a precaution against potential looting.

Although the authorities' hardline response successfully curbed immediate large-scale violence, the potential for prolonged civil unrest remains high.

Dubbed "Act II" by the organizers, the protest leaders stated they would continue their struggle unless the government presents concrete policy solutions.

The French high school student organization "Renouveau Lycéen," which served as the catalyst for the nationwide protests, is scheduled to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on the 26th. The student group warned that protests would continue if substantive measures to improve educational environments are not delivered.

Labor unions are also ramping up pressure on the government. Major unions have announced a nationwide general strike for the 5th of next month. The CGT vowed to expand the scale of the protests until the government and employers meet workers' demands.

Meanwhile, the "Yellow Vests" movement, which spearheaded the violent protests on the 17th, has called for additional rallies on the 31st of this month. Named "Act III," this upcoming demonstration is planned as a sit-in. Organizers have urged Paris residents to gather near the French National Assembly, and residents in other regions to assemble in front of their respective city halls.

The protests ignited in France are now spilling over into neighboring European countries. Anti-government demonstrations over similar issues—such as inflation and worsening educational conditions—have broken out in Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Albania.

In Barcelona, Spain, the unrest turned violent. Groups of protesters set fire to garbage bins, looted shops around Catalonia Square in the city center, and clashed with police by hurling stones. Local police arrested 128 individuals on charges of public property destruction and looting.

As the French government braces for additional demonstrations on the 31st and a general strike on November 5th, it plans to maintain a state of high alert. With protests threatening to become protracted and spreading across borders, security authorities throughout Europe are facing mounting pressure and operational strain.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]