Macron vows strong measures after French protests and 1,300 arrests

France saw a second weekend of nationwide protests over the cost of living and conditions in schools, with more than 400,000 people taking to the streets and clashes breaking out in several cities. The authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and made more than 1,300 arrests, according to the latest interior ministry figures. Initial reports on Saturday said nearly 1,000 people had been arrested. The interior ministry said two people were seriously injured and dozens of police were hurt. It blamed extremists for what it called an elevated level of violence.

The protests were largely peaceful for most of the day. In Paris, about 110,000 people joined the only authorised march, which was rerouted from the city centre to Porte d'Italie and then to an outlying square. Police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon at the end of the day after protesters threw fireworks, bottles, bricks and other projectiles, and set up barricades. Officers stopped and searched thousands of people and seized items including lead pellets, steel balls, mortars and an airsoft gun, the interior minister said.

Clashes also broke out in Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Nantes and Bordeaux. In Marseille, the CGT union said 100,000 people marched, while the city put the figure at 17,000. Masked groups later attacked police, three shops were looted and 50 people were arrested in the city. In Bordeaux, people ripped boards from a shop. Police fired tear gas in Lyon and Nantes. The disorder was less severe than the previous weekend, when about 2,500 people were arrested and nearly 300 businesses were looted. The interior minister said businesses had been better protected this time and that looting was limited, though some shops were still targeted.

Demands have widened since the movement began weeks ago as student protests over teacher shortages, crumbling school buildings and funding. Protesters now cite the cost of living, inequality, jobs, housing and public services. Teachers, students and some yellow vest activists joined the marches. Several demonstrators said a violent fringe had hijacked a peaceful message and damaged their cause. The government has announced an emergency plan to send 3,000 substitute teachers to schools and an online platform, Agora, for pupils to raise concerns. More announcements are expected next week, but the government faces tight budget limits and high borrowing costs.

President Emmanuel Macron has said his government will unveil strong measures in response to the protests and warned that further unrest is possible. The interior minister praised the security operation, saying police had prevented many incidents of looting and attacks on public buildings. The government banned some rallies and changed routes to keep crowds away from central shopping districts. More protests are planned for next Saturday and a general strike has been called for 5 November.

The unrest has added to pressure on Macron and has become entangled with the presidential election. Marine Le Pen launched her presidential campaign during the weekend. Jean-Luc Melenchon and the hard left hope to turn the movement into a coherent political alternative, while the far right argues that law and order is breaking down. Macron cannot stand for re-election under constitutional rules, and the centre ground he represents is under strain.

Protests and clashes also spread to other European countries. In Italy, police detained nearly 400 people in cities including Milan, Turin, Bologna and Rome. In Belgium, police used tear gas and pepper spray during demonstrations over education conditions. In Spain, police arrested 100 people in Barcelona after shops were looted and barricades set alight, while pensioners protested in Madrid. In Albania, protesters clashed with police in Tirana, and in Lisbon people protested over housing costs.