Fresh protests and strikes sweep France as demonstrators clash with police

Millions of workers went on strike across France to protest the rising cost of living. The action came as a continuation of youth-led protests that have been going on for weeks. On the day, clashes broke out between protesters and police in several cities, and police fired tear gas.

France, the eurozone's second-largest economy, is currently trying to recover from a severe financial crisis. An election lies ahead in the country. Only six months remain before the vote to choose President Emmanuel Macron's successor. In opinion polls, the hard right is ahead so far.

The trade union CGT said 1.6 million people took part in the protests across France. The interior ministry, however, put the number at 575,000, revising an earlier figure of 600,000. According to its figures, 60,000 people took part in Paris alone.

The statement also said that by 6pm local time, 448 people had been arrested in clashes with protesters, and 53 police officers were injured. At the Paris rally, CGT leader Sophie Binet said the question today is not whether we will win, but how much we can win.

The strike was organised amid a wave of student anger across Europe. In recent weeks, young people in Germany, Spain, Greece and Italy have also taken part in similar protests. The movement, led by students, began over concerns about the poor quality of education and an adverse environment. At the same time, anger over the rising cost of living and inequality has spread widely.

Earlier, the protest on 17 October turned into a violent riot at one stage. That was the worst rioting in France in several years. Most recently, the trade unions have demanded wage increases across all sectors and reform of the tax system. They have also complained about police restrictions on certain protests.

Although most marches remained peaceful, protesters and police clashed in Lyon and several other cities. At least one car was set on fire in Lyon, and police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Martin Thiberge, a grape grower who took part in the Lyon protest, said the movement has brought together people from different walks of French society. He said they want to earn a living through their work and want dignified wages.

Lea, a 31-year-old social worker in Marseille, told the AFP news agency she was tired of counting every penny. She added that this social movement has shown them a ray of hope. Meanwhile, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris were closed for the whole day.

The government said 81 of the country's 3,700 high schools were blockaded. A student organisation, however, claimed classes were suspended in around 1,000 secondary schools because of the protests. According to the education ministry, around 16% of teachers across the country took part in the strike.

Trade unions of government and private educational institutions had called the strike. Unions of railway workers, public hospital staff and postal workers also joined the action. Several large French unions representing students, teachers, postal workers, doctors, pharmacists and transport workers called a nationwide strike on the day of the protest.

According to the government, the protests disrupted the functioning of about one-third of the country's higher education institutions. Around 13% of school staff took part in the strike. The unions, however, claim the number of participants was far higher than the official figures.