Mass protests against rising living costs and deteriorating study conditions continued in France on October 17. In Paris, police used water cannons and tear gas, while a tourist office was set on fire in Lyon. According to the latest available Interior Ministry data cited by Reuters, 272 people were detained across the country. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Amid the protest wave, threats are being voiced against President Emmanuel Macron with reference to the execution of French King Louis XVI.
"Louis XVI was beheaded. Macron, we can repeat it," reads a placard held by a female demonstrator.
On the Place de la République, rioters threw various objects at police and launched fireworks. Security forces used tear gas and water cannons. A car and a newspaper kiosk were also set on fire in the capital. At the same time, most peaceful demonstrators joined the march.
In Lyon, a tourist information office caught fire. In Marseille, shops and a municipal police station were damaged, and some protesters briefly entered the city hall lobby.
In Toulouse, police intervened to prevent the blocking of train traffic and a transport interchange. Actions also took place in Rennes, Niort, Valenciennes and La Rochelle.
The current wave began with schoolchildren's protests against teacher shortages and the poor condition of educational institutions. Gradually, the protests encompassed a wider range of issues — inequality, public spending and living standards.
Participants of the "yellow vests" movement, students, workers and climate activists joined the mobilization. Demands to improve study conditions merged with discontent over high prices and wages lagging behind expenses.
The day before, on October 16, Macron called for calm and respect. He stated that the constitutional right to protest must be accompanied by respect for people and property, and spoke out against insults and pogroms.