French authorities arrested 1,200 people, while 150 police officers and gendarmes were injured following violent protests marked by looting and destruction

Approximately 1,200 people had been arrested in France by before midnight, following Saturday’s protests against the high cost of living, which descended into violence in several cities. The figure was presented by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, quoted by Le Parisien.

The number of arrests had risen from approximately 400 during the evening. The violence included attacks on law enforcement officers, looting, and destruction. The prime minister stated that 150 police officers and gendarmes had been injured.

The French Interior Ministry estimates that approximately 550,000 people took part in the 110 demonstrations organized throughout the country, including 110,000 in Paris. Students, public-sector employees, farmers, and members of the “yellow vest” movement participated in the protests.

In Limoges, a fire that broke out at city hall caused major damage after the roof collapsed onto the lower floors. In Marseille, several people were injured during the clashes.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that police were analyzing numerous video recordings to identify those responsible for the looting and destruction. The authorities convened an interministerial crisis unit, while the mayors of Paris, Marseille, and Lyon requested a meeting with the prime minister.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the French left-wing party La France insoumise, argued that the majority of participants had protested peacefully. “They want to portray us as hooligans. Show that they are the manipulators!” the politician wrote on X.