Living costs and education drive demands
Labor unions and other groups backed the latest rallies, where demands included relief from rising prices and better conditions in high schools. In Paris, marchers carried signs protesting higher prices while security forces directed them along an officially designated route away from the city center.
A teacher in her 40s described her reasons for attending as the cost of living, wages and public-service funding. She said people kept expressing their anger because they felt no one was listening. A 17-year-old high school student said the government dismissed students and would not take young people's demands seriously.
Organizers reported a substantially larger turnout than the authorities. According to POLITICO Europe, student unions and youth organizations estimated nearly half a million participants across France, including 200,000 in Paris. The interior ministry counted 70,000 in the capital.
Police deployment and clashes
France deployed 70,000 police officers nationwide amid concerns about renewed unrest, POLITICO Europe reported. Authorities maintained tight security, as they had on October 24, following vandalism and looting during demonstrations two weeks before the latest rallies.
Near the Paris demonstration site, some protesters confronted security forces. The interior ministry also reported clashes elsewhere, including Marseille, and said the nationwide detention count exceeded 500.
Speaking to reporters Saturday night, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said authorities would stay vigilant throughout the night. He cited online posts urging vandalism on Halloween night.
European demonstrations and a November strike call
The French movement also inspired youth-led demonstrations elsewhere in Europe on October 31, according to POLITICO Europe. In Germany, the youth initiative Gen Z regelt organized protests in more than 30 cities, including Berlin and Frankfurt. Demonstrations also took place in Italian cities, including Rome and Milan.
In France, unions and protest groups have called for a nationwide strike and mobilization on November 5, 2026. RFI reported that the action is the movement's next step in pressing demands over wages, living costs and public services.
