More than 2,000 people have been arrested following nationwide cost-of-living protests led by Yellow Vest groups, unions and students that descended into severe violence, arson and widespread looting across France.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the arrests on Sunday, adding that over 600 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured. Business federations estimated material damage at hundreds of millions of euros with over 1,500 retail stores targeted nationwide.
Turnout reached an estimated 550,000 to 800,000 demonstrators across the country. While main rallies were initially peaceful, severe rioting broke out in major cities. In Limoges, a fire devastated the historic city hall, while commercial property and local government offices were vandalized in Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. One protester died in Paris from cardiorespiratory arrest, and a teenager lost a hand due to explosive riot control munitions in Saint-Etienne.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced an interministerial crisis meeting to address the severe economic fallout and judicial response. Meanwhile, National Assembly leadership is considering a formal parliamentary inquiry into the handling of the unrest.
Opposition politicians criticized policing tactics and called for Nunez’s resignation while officials warned of further social media calls for gatherings across French cities.
