According to CCTV International News, on October 17 local time, hundreds of thousands of people in France took to the streets to protest against rising living costs and deteriorating public services. Violent clashes between police and protesters broke out in many places, including Paris, and violent incidents involving masked individuals occurred.
Regarding this, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that France will never tolerate violence. Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault stated that the government will not be intimidated by violence. The French Interior Ministry said it will do everything possible to track down the perpetrators of the violent incidents.
According to CCTV reports, this protest occurred as the French government was working on its budget proposal for 2027. Facing high public debt and fiscal deficits, the government plans to improve the public finances by increasing revenues and reducing expenditures. However, these policies have raised concerns among the public about potential impacts on the purchasing power of money and public services.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the tensions in the Middle East, and the uncertainties in the international energy market have also put external pressure on France's economy.
This is one of the most severe violent riots in France in recent years. Approximately 1,200 people have been arrested, and over 150 police officers have been injured. The French Interior Ministry states that about 550,000 people in France participated in the protest activities on that day. The French Federation of Trade Unions estimates the number to be 800,000. Protesters claim that most of the events were peaceful, and they attribute most of the violence to "intentional disruptive elements who caused conflicts with the police."
In the small French city of Limoges, a municipal building with a history of 143 years was set ablaze. The fire spread to the roof, and the 43-meter-tall bell tower collapsed. Local authorities said that the roof of this building, constructed in 1883, had fallen onto the lower floors. Two-thirds of its front exterior walls were destroyed by fire. The building is considered “basally damaged” and can be described as a “disaster for historical heritage.” It is reported that this building, designed with inspiration from the Paris municipal building, is a protected historical monument.
