French police prepare as schools reopen after autumn break

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 23:31 · Archive

French police are preparing for renewed tensions as high schools reopen on Monday after the autumn break, with some groups calling for blockades. The move comes after Saturday's mass protests over rising living costs resulted in less violence than previous weekends, which authorities view as a modest success.

Saturday's demonstrations saw 779 arrests across the country, compared to 2,628 on 17 October and 1,314 the previous weekend. In Paris, rioters targeted police with Molotov cocktails at the end of a march on the city's eastern edge, injuring three officers and setting a car ablaze, according to police. Masked groups hurled fireworks at officers at a viewpoint near the Eiffel Tower, prompting police charges that sent visitors fleeing. Across the country, about 70,000 police were deployed. Paris and Marseille police reported that a handful of shops were targeted but said no major damage occurred.

France faces a general strike on Thursday involving trains and public services, with both students and labour unions demanding higher wages and other measures. President Emmanuel Macron's government is prioritising negotiations with unions over Thursday's planned actions, while hoping the harder-to-control rioting subsides.

How it is being reported

• French police on alert as schools return from breakFrench police are bracing for more tensions as schools across the country reopen after their autumn break, with some groups calling for blockades.Perth Now · 1 Nov, 23:01
• French police on alert as schools return from breakFrench police are bracing for more tensions as schools across the country reopen after their autumn break, with some groups calling for blockades.The West Australian · 1 Nov, 23:01

In this story: France · Paris · Emmanuel Macron · Germany · Marseille · Eiffel Tower

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