France dodges Moody’s downgrade amid protests and budget gridlock

France dispatched 70,000 police officers to quell nationwide protests on Saturday, as unrest appeared less intense compared to the previous week. Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Paris, expressing discontent over the high cost of living and accusing President Emmanuel Macron of neglecting public services while failing to address income disparities.

Some protesters chanted "Down with the state, the police and the fascists." Police intervened in several cities, firing tear gas in Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Lille, and Nice, and deploying water cannons in response to protesters' refusal to disperse. In Marseille and Lyon, clashes erupted between hooded youths and law enforcement.

The government increased its police presence by 10,000 officers compared to October 17, when nationwide protests turned violent. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez claimed they would take "ultra, ultra responsive" measures, arresting 135 individuals nationwide, primarily following pre-emptive searches that uncovered potential weapons.

Many shops, museums, and metro stations closed in central Paris, with business leaders advising retailers to remain shut following damage and looting during last weekend's protests. Several iconic cultural institutions, including the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and Paris Opera, shut down for the day. Tourists expressed frustration over the boarded-up establishments.

The main demonstration route was determined through a legal battle, moving organizers away from previously targeted business districts. Leftist leaders, including hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, praised the "magnificent mass display of collective discipline and self-restraint." Far-right party delegates attending their congress in Orléans criticized the government's overreaction, with demonstrators accusing authorities of prioritizing shop preservation over addressing social inequality.