Protests Over Cost of Living Spark Clashes in France and Germany

Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through cities across France on Saturday to protest the rising cost of living and declining public services. While the rallies were largely peaceful, clashes broke out in the evening between police and groups of masked individuals.

The French interior ministry reported that about 320,000 people participated nationwide, a decrease from the previous weekend. In Paris, protesters marched along the city's outskirts, while in other areas, authorities utilized teargas, stun grenades, and water cannons to manage crowds.

Participants in the French protests included trade union members, students, and yellow vest demonstrators. Some protesters carried signs criticizing the government's economic management and the current financial struggles faced by families.

Similar youth-led demonstrations occurred in Germany, where crowds gathered to protest for affordable living, education, and climate action. Police in cities such as Cologne and Frankfurt used water cannons and other crowd-control measures after reports that protesters threw fireworks and other objects at officers.