HIBAPRESS
Clashes between protesters and security forces renewed in the French capital, Paris, today, Sunday, for the second consecutive day, following widespread protests against the high cost of living that took place in several French cities on Saturday, which were marked by violence, looting, and vandalism.
Authorities announced the arrest of 2397 people and the injury of hundreds of police and gendarmerie officers, while material losses were estimated at hundreds of millions of euros.
According to the latest figures from the French Ministry of Interior, 997 police and gendarmerie officers were injured, including seven in serious condition. The number of detainees in Paris alone reached 855, a record number according to the capital's police prefecture. The number of individuals placed in police custody exceeded 550, after approximately 550,000 demonstrators participated in protests across the country, including 110,000 in Paris, according to official figures.
In the capital, scattered confrontations renewed around the Republic Square, which witnessed acts of violence during the previous day. A specialized riot control unit intervened to disperse unauthorized gatherings, while a clothing store was looted. The city of Marseille also recorded widespread vandalism and looting, while other cities experienced damage to streets and public property.
In the city of Limoges, a fire destroyed parts of the town hall and caused its roof to collapse, prompting the mayor, Guillaume Guerin, to criticize the authorities' handling of the events and demand clarifications regarding the protection of police officers. Serious injuries were also recorded among protesters, with one losing his hand in the city of Saint-Étienne following the explosion of a grenade used by the police, according to a source familiar with the matter. An investigation was opened in the city of Mulhouse after a young woman lost one of her eyes.
The French trade and distribution union estimated the number of damaged stores at approximately 1,500 nationwide, noting that the looting and vandalism resulted in losses of hundreds of millions of euros. In his first reaction to the developments, President Emmanuel Macron expressed "anger and shame" and announced a political meeting on Monday to discuss the repercussions of the unrest, with the possibility of banning some gatherings in the coming days.
For her part, the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, announced the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee to examine the acts of violence and evaluate the public order strategy adopted by the authorities. On the political level, Marine Le Pen described what is happening as an indicator of a "deep crisis" threatening democracy, while radical left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called on Macron to respond to the demands of the youth.
Authorities also recorded the death of a person who participated in the Paris demonstrations due to a health problem, confirming that the death is not related to the acts of violence or the intervention of security forces. These events come about six months before the French presidential elections scheduled for April and May 2027, amid the recall of scenes of vandalism and looting from the "Yellow Vest" protests and riots that the country has witnessed in recent years.
