A third weekend of protests in France as youth-led rallies sweep Europe

Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets across France, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands on Saturday, continuing a third weekend of demonstrations over living costs and education. Youth-led protests were held in numerous European cities, but France's demonstrations were particularly notable for their size and peaceful nature, despite some clashes on the margins.

In Paris, about 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed after Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned of a "very high risk" of disorder, especially at night on Halloween. Police re-routed marches to the city's edge to protect commercial and tourist areas. French authorities estimated 320,000 protesters nationwide, fewer than in previous protests but still significant. Media reports suggest higher numbers.

Protesters carried banners representing high school students, climate activists and those dissatisfied with the cost of living. Corentin Cabreux, a 21-year-old student, said his residence had damp stains, peeling walls and pest problems. A 30-year-old gallery assistant dressed as beheaded Marie-Antoinette, explaining her costume symbolized a figure brought down by the people.

The protests began last month by high school students protesting neglected schools, teacher shortages and an unfair university admissions system. Labor unions and others joined in with various demands.

In Germany, the "Gen Z regelt" initiative held rallies in over 30 cities, demanding action on education, health, climate protection and affordable living without military conscription. In Berlin, students gathered at Brandenburg Gate, demanding more funds for education, housing and social services. In Cologne, protesters used pyrotechnics and threw stones at police, who responded with water cannons. In Hamburg, some protesters set fire to barricades and burned barricades, but police used tear gas to disperse them.

While most protests remained peaceful, clashes erupted near Paris' Porte de Charenton, where protesters threw glass bottles and fireworks at police. Police responded with stun grenades and tear gas, leading to injuries among peaceful marchers. Unaccompanied minors faced curfews in Paris, while police barred access to certain neighborhoods after dark. Despite occasional violence, the majority of protesters remained peaceful, demanding change for future generations.