AFP reported that protests over living costs and police powers drew sharply different turnout estimates in France on Nov. 14, with unions scheduling another strike in the European Union’s second-largest economy for Nov. 17.
France’s Interior Ministry said around 106,000 people demonstrated nationwide, including 24,000 in Paris. Student unions estimated 200,000 across France and nearly 100,000 in the capital. The ministry said the national turnout was the lowest in recent weeks and that 219 people had been detained. Paris prosecutors reported 45 arrests in the capital.
AFP said demonstrations had continued for more than a month and that Nov. 14 marked the fifth consecutive weekend of rallies. The protests included calls for higher wages and concern over a bill before Parliament that would give police greater legal protection when using weapons.
The bill’s backers, including the far-right party of presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen, argue that presuming officers acted in self-defense would prevent them from automatically facing suspicion of disproportionate force. Activists say the change could hinder investigations into alleged police brutality and make it harder to hold officers accountable. At the Paris rally, Adrien, a 20-year-old cellist in a volunteer orchestra, said the proposal would make protesters more fearful of police impunity. “We’re scared when we come to a protest,” he said.
AFP described the Nov. 14 gatherings as largely peaceful, though police fired tear gas in Paris, Bordeaux and Nantes. Lyon authorities said officers intervened after protesters attacked a television crew.
A further strike is scheduled for Nov. 17 after unions dismissed the government’s promised 0.6% minimum-wage increase as “crumbs.” AFP said the largest recent demonstrations took place Nov. 5, when official figures showed more than 500,000 people on the streets nationwide. AFP reported that efforts to reduce public debt were constraining the government’s response to protesters.
Earlier, on Oct. 19, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he had instructed prefects to impose localized curfews, according to an earlier EconoTimes report.
