Hundreds of thousands of mostly young demonstrators took to the streets across France on Saturday for a third consecutive weekend of protests targeting living costs and education conditions. The movement, which originated from high school students protesting neglected infrastructure and teacher shortages, has since expanded to draw in labor unions and climate activists.
In response to previous weeks of unrest, French authorities deployed approximately 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide. Officials rerouted the main Paris march to the capital's eastern edge near Porte de Bagnolet to protect city centers, tourist sites, and government buildings. The French government estimated a national turnout of 320,000 protesters, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a high risk of public disorder, particularly after dark on Halloween. By Saturday evening, clashes emerged near Porte de Charenton, where police deployed tear gas and stun grenades after protesters hurled glass bottles and fireworks.
The youth-led demonstrations also extended beyond France into neighboring European nations. In Germany, a Gen Z initiative called "Gen Z regelt" organized rallies across more than 30 cities—including Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, and Frankfurt—demanding increased investments in education, social services, and climate protection, while speaking out against military conscription. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Lisbon peacefully protested Portugal's housing crisis, and authorities in The Hague maintained a strong police presence amid concerns over potential unrest.
