France’s third protest weekend draws 320,000 as youth rallies spread across Europe
France’s government estimated that 320,000 people joined Saturday’s third consecutive weekend of protests over living costs and education; a youth union coalition put turnout at nearly 500,000. Youth-led demonstrations also took place in Germany and Portugal, while clashes in Paris followed a largely peaceful march and police deployed 70,000 officers and gendarmes nationwide, according to the Associated Press.
Bottom line — French student organisers say they will blockade schools and universities next week before a 5 November demonstration.
Go deeper 6
-
The French government counted 410,000 protesters on 24 October and 550,000 on 17 October; the Associated Press reports official estimates.
-
The Union étudiante spokesperson said school and university blockades are planned for Tuesday and Thursday, followed by a 5 November demonstration.
-
Students began the French protests over neglected school buildings, teacher shortages and university admissions they consider unfair to disadvantaged applicants, the Associated Press reports.
-
The French Interior Ministry estimated 70,000 protesters in Paris; the youth trade union coalition put the city’s turnout at 200,000, according to RFI.
-
Germany’s “Gen Z regelt” initiative rallied in more than 30 cities over education, healthcare, climate protection and affordability, and opposed a return to military conscription, the Associated Press reports.
-
Thousands gathered in Lisbon to protest Portugal’s housing crisis, while The Hague saw no major disturbances by mid-afternoon, according to the Associated Press.