PARIS: France faced widespread damage on Sunday after protests over rising living costs and declining public services turned violent, leaving one demonstrator dead, more than 500 police officers injured and nearly 1,800 people arrested.
More than half a million people joined demonstrations across the country on Saturday. While many marched peacefully, violent groups clashed with police, looted shops and attacked public buildings. In Limoges, a 143-year-old town hall was set ablaze and partially destroyed.
Paris recorded 855 arrests, while hundreds of shops suffered damage nationwide. In Bordeaux, up to 100 stores were reportedly looted. Carrefour said 50 of its shops had been damaged, including 20 that were looted.
The unrest began last month over school conditions and teacher shortages before expanding into protests against inequality, spending cuts and rising prices.
President Emmanuel Macron was expected to address the nation on Sunday as pressure mounted on his government ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Authorities pledged support for affected businesses and warned that those responsible for the destruction would be held accountable.
