Police deploy tear gas as 800,000 protest France's subsidy cuts

On Saturday, an estimated 800,000 people marched across France in protests over the high cost of living, with 250,000 in Paris, police said. The Interior Ministry counted 410,000 demonstrators nationwide, but other sources put the total closer to 800,000. The marches spanned 30 cities, from Marseille to Lille, as citizens demanded relief from soaring prices.

The protests come after months of rising inflation and stagnant wages. Prices for food, fuel and housing have jumped by double digits in the last year. The government has cut subsidies on energy and food, sparking anger among workers and pensioners. The demonstrations are part of a broader wave of street protests that began last year over pension reforms and tax hikes.

Paris stayed largely calm during the day, with police keeping the main avenues clear. However, in Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux clashes broke out when protesters tried to enter areas marked as off‑limits. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds that had gathered outside city halls and railway stations. In Paris, a small group tried to breach a barricade outside the Hôtel de Ville, but were stopped before a larger confrontation could erupt.

The Interior Ministry says it will maintain a heavy police presence in major cities for the next week. The government has promised to review its subsidy cuts and is considering new measures to curb inflation. If the protests continue, lawmakers may face pressure to roll back some of the austerity policies that sparked the unrest. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome could shape France’s social policy for the coming months.