Overview
- The protests entered a fourth consecutive weekend as youth groups, unions and Yellow Vests called demonstrations against high living costs and failures in the education system.
- Organisers’ coalition reported about 250,000 participants nationwide while the Interior Ministry gave a snapshot figure of roughly 7,000 people at 14:00, highlighting a sharp dispute over turnout.
- Authorities deployed about 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide to prevent renewed violence, and reported arrests included two Yellow Vest representatives detained near the Élysée Palace.
- Local bans and strict policing shaped the day: police used tear gas in Lyon against an unauthorised crowd and media reports said 18 people were detained overall.
- The government has scheduled a social conference to begin formal talks with employers, unions and student representatives and unions have already called further strike action that could affect public services.