Part 14/18:
Police reports document over 250 arrests nationwide, with significant disturbances in Paris, where protesters attempted to block the city’s beltway and torch vehicles, forcing police to deploy 80,000 officers across France. This unrest echoes the Yellow Vests movement of 2018-2019, driven by frustration over economic inequality, austerity, and Macron’s governance style.
The protests expose deep dissatisfaction with Macron’s policies, including austerity measures and proposed reforms that many believe disproportionately hurt the lower and middle classes. Critics accuse the government of using superficial 'consultations' and token gestures; in reality, many see these as thinly veiled attempts to implement economic cuts and austerity that fuel public anger.