French Authorities Brace for Second Wave of Cost of Living Unrest

French law enforcement detained dozens of individuals and deployed tear gas on Saturday as officials tightened their grip on major cities. This intensified security posture is a direct response to the chaos observed during the previous weekend, when nationwide demonstrations regarding the high cost of living erupted into unrest. With more than half a million participants expected to take to the streets again, authorities are operating under the assumption that the public frustration has not diminished.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez provided a detailed account of the early actions taken by the police. He reported that 135 people had been arrested and that a variety of items were confiscated from demonstrators. The seized inventory included metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, and improvised weapons. Notably, the list also included a katana and airsoft weapons. Despite the arrests, Nuñez stated that there had been no major incident recorded in the country so far. He noted that up to 70,000 officers would be deployed, supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons.

In Lyon, where demonstrations had been officially banned, approximately 150 protesters near the city center briefly attempted to block a road. Police responded by using tear gas to disperse the group. A 21-year-old student who spoke to Agence France-Presse anonymously described the police tactics as "really mobile." The student added, "They come and disperse marches before they even form," suggesting a preemptive strategy by the authorities.

In Orleans, thousands of people marched against a congress held by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party. Le Pen is using this event to launch her bid to succeed Emmanuel Macron as president. With elections six months away, surveys indicate she is currently best positioned to win. Marchers targeted both political leaders, chanting "Macron resign. Le Pen in prison," according to AFP reports. Police counted 11,000 participants, while organizers claimed the number was 26,000. About 50 groups, including unions, left-wing parties, and student organizations, had called for the protest. French media reported that the event ended peacefully early in the afternoon, and the congress is expected to run through Sunday.

Authorities described the mood in Paris as "calm" as hundreds gathered at the Porte d'Italie for the city's only authorized march. This location was chosen at the last minute, moving the event from its original planned site at the Bastille to the more remote southeastern edge of the city. Union organizers said they accepted the change reluctantly. Union representative Murielle Guilbert called it "scandalous" that Macron had barred protesters from demonstrating "where we wish to demonstrate," adding that wages have still not risen to the level they should. A student named Lucas told CBS Saturday Morning that it was "normal for people to be angry."

The unrest has significantly disrupted daily life and events in the capital. Major museums are closed, and many businesses have boarded up their windows. Art Basel opened Friday for one day only, with organizers cancelling the weekend program. The first NFL game in France, between the New Orleans Saints and another team, is still scheduled for Sunday, though some related venues were shut Saturday. A Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais soccer match planned for Sunday has been moved to Monday night. Around 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted last weekend.

The protests began last month when high school students in the southeast of Paris demonstrated for better conditions. The movement widened as people demanded relief from rising living costs. The Yellow Vests, who emerged about eight years ago to stage disruptive protests against Macron, said they will hold more demonstrations on Oct. 31. They plan rallies and a sit-in outside parliament and city halls, condemning the "authoritarian drift" of the government.

Unrest also spread elsewhere in Europe. Italy sent additional soldiers to Milan after looting and clashes a week earlier. Premier Giorgia Meloni announced tougher penalties for minors, who police said made up much of the violent crowd. In Tirana, Albania, riot police used water cannons on student protesters demanding lower tuition and an end to corruption in education. Thousands of retirees marched in Madrid over pensions, and a housing protest was expected in Lisbon.