France’s Saint-Etienne in the spotlight as protests surge; police say they lost control during weekend demonstrations, underscoring security tensions. A historic mining city and current political symbol, it sits at the heart of debates over public order and reform.
France has held a third consecutive weekend of large protests over education and the cost of living, drawing roughly 320,000 people on 31 October according to the interior ministry. Marches in Paris, Lyon and Toulouse have been largely peaceful but have turned violent at their edges, with masked rioters setting fires, hurling projectiles and prompting police to use tear gas, water cannon and stun grenades.
Protests across France have escalated this weekend, with hundreds of thousands taking to streets over the cost of living and education concerns. Police report thousands arrested and injuries among officers and protesters as authorities face questions over security planning and intelligence. President Macron vows accountability and measures to restore order while reserving drastic actions.