By The South Asia Times

PARIS -  Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across France over the weekend to protest rising living costs, deteriorating public services and school funding, intensifying pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's government as demonstrators consider further industrial action.

French authorities estimated that around 410,000 people participated in nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, including 110,000 in Paris. The CGT trade union put the nationwide turnout at nearly 800,000, highlighting the difference between official and organisers' estimates, the Associated Press reported.

The protests, which began with students demanding more teachers and better school facilities, have expanded into a broader movement involving workers, trade unions and other groups concerned about living standards, economic inequality and the quality of public services.

Demonstrators have demanded higher wages and pensions, improved educational facilities, additional teachers and measures to ease the financial pressure on households.

The growing movement presents a political challenge for Macron, whose presidency is approaching its final months before France elects his successor in 2027.

Saturday's demonstrations were largely peaceful in many areas, but clashes broke out in Paris and several other cities.

In the French capital, the main march began peacefully before some masked protesters threw objects and fireworks at police near its endpoint. Security forces responded with tear gas and water cannon.

Police also used tear gas in cities including Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand and Strasbourg, while water cannon were deployed in Nice and Nantes, according to media reports.

Authorities deployed around 70,000 police officers nationwide to prevent a repeat of the previous weekend's widespread violence and looting. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said nearly 1,000 people had been detained in connection with Saturday's unrest, with the total expected to rise.

The demonstrations followed a larger mobilisation on October 17, when the Interior Ministry estimated that 550,000 people had taken part nationwide.

- Nationwide strike planned for November 5

With public anger continuing, some protesters and labour activists are looking towards further action, including a planned nationwide strike on November 5.

The proposed strike could broaden the movement beyond street demonstrations by disrupting workplaces and public services, although its potential scale and the level of participation remain uncertain.

The convergence of student groups, trade unions and workers has given the protests a wider social and economic dimension, turning grievances over education and public services into a broader challenge to the government's response to the cost-of-living crisis.

- Political and economic pressure mounts

The protests reflect wider concerns about household purchasing power, inequality and access to adequately funded public services. Rising energy costs and inflation have added to the pressure on families, while school staffing shortages and deteriorating facilities have helped mobilise younger demonstrators.

The unrest also comes amid growing political polarisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Opposition figures on both the left and right have criticised the government's handling of the crisis, although they differ sharply on the solutions.

The scale of the demonstrations, the prospect of a nationwide strike and recurring confrontations with police raise questions about whether the government can ease public discontent through policy changes or dialogue with unions and protesters.

For now, the movement shows no clear sign of disappearing. Whether the November 5 strike attracts widespread participation could help determine whether France faces another sustained period of industrial and political unrest.