Protests in France have entered their fourth consecutive weekend, with the Interior Ministry reporting 146,000 demonstrators nationwide, while a youth union alliance estimated attendance at 250,000.
The protests, which include students, trade unions, and members of the Yellow Vest movement, have resulted in at least 360 arrests and clashes with police, particularly in Paris where tear gas was deployed. This weekend's turnout was notably lower than previous weeks and union-led demonstrations earlier in November, which saw 575,000 participants.
The protests began in late September, initially led by high-school students advocating for better conditions, and have since expanded to include broader issues of high living costs and government policies under President Emmanuel Macron.
The backdrop to these protests includes the recent rejection by French lawmakers of the revenue section of the 2027 budget, as the government seeks to balance public discontent with fiscal responsibility.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to meet with labor and employer representatives to discuss wages and purchasing power, indicating the government's attempt to address the underlying issues driving the protests