Clashes break out as hundreds of thousands protest in France

Paris and other French cities descended into chaos on Saturday as hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered for the third day of demonstrations against soaring living costs. Hundreds were arrested and police fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse rioters. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that while the marches had been largely orderly, there was disorder, including an incident where a police officer was struck by a Molotov cocktail.

Clashes erupted between police and some masked protesters who used hammers to throw paving stones at security forces. Police responded with tear gas and baton charges, arresting several hundred rioters. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen condemned the firebomb attack on a riot police officer, describing it as an attempted murder. A night-time curfew was imposed in central Paris neighborhoods from 11pm to 6am on Saturday and Sunday.

The protests, initially focused on rising living costs and inequality, broadened to demand greater protection of civil liberties and the right to protest. The demonstrations, which saw participation ranging from 320,000 to nearly half a million people across France, come as presidential elections loom in less than six months.