French Police Deploy Tear Gas as Nationwide Protests Erupt Over Living Costs

LYON: French police fired tear gas at protesters on Saturday as they intensified security measures in major cities to avert a recurrence of last week’s rioting during nationwide demonstrations against the high cost of living.

In Lyon, officers used tear gas to disperse approximately 150 demonstrators near the city center, where protests had been prohibited. An AFP journalist reported that the crowd briefly attempted to block a road before police intervened.

As tensions escalated, shopkeepers in various areas, particularly near Paris’s Bastille neighborhood, prepared for potential violence. A clothing store removed all merchandise from its shelves, while a nearby restaurant boarded up its windows, displaying signs that it remained open. Many retailers across the capital took similar precautions, reinforcing their storefronts with wooden boards.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as protests are expected to continue, reflecting widespread discontent over rising living costs. The government faces pressure to address these economic grievances, with further demonstrations anticipated in the coming days.