French police arrest 1,435 during nationwide protests

French police arrested 1,435 people during nationwide protests over living conditions on Saturday, including around 100 carrying weapons, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said Monday.

Nuñez told local media that the situation remained under control, with no major incidents reported. However, he noted a very high level of violence against security forces, similar to that witnessed during demonstrations on October 17, when around 267 security personnel were injured.

Authorities seized dozens of knives, billiard balls, glass marbles, slingshots and fireworks during searches of people heading to the demonstrations, according to the minister.

Nuñez said security forces had been targeted in attacks that, in many cases, amounted to attempted murder.

Around 150 protesters were also injured, three of them seriously, the minister said. Police have opened internal investigations into incidents of violence, as is standard procedure.

The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) estimated that around 800,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday, matching the turnout recorded on October 17. Authorities put the figure at 410,000.

Nuñez said no changes to existing security measures were planned in the coming days. Curfews covering slightly more than 10 areas will remain in place.

The measures come amid calls for another round of demonstrations on Saturday, October 31, coinciding with Halloween celebrations.

"We expect the situation to be difficult again this time, with another day of mobilization," Nuñez said, adding that authorities would implement particularly stringent security measures.