Mass demonstrations sweep France for third consecutive weekend

• Youth unions estimated that nearly 500,000 people demonstrated across France.
• The Interior Ministry put the nationwide turnout at approximately 320,000.
• Clashes between police and protesters took place in Paris, according to AFP.

Nearly half a million people took to the streets across France on Saturday, according to youth unions, as demonstrations over the cost of living, education and public services continued for a third consecutive weekend, with AFP reporting clashes between police and protesters in Paris. 

The French Interior Ministry put the nationwide turnout at approximately 320,000, significantly below the estimate provided by youth union organisers, highlighting the discrepancy between official and organisers' figures.

The demonstrations brought together students, trade unions and other groups expressing frustration over rising living costs, deteriorating conditions in schools and universities, and broader concerns over government policies.

In Paris, clashes broke out between police and demonstrators, AFP reported, as tensions emerged during the latest round of protests. Authorities had deployed approximately 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide ahead of Saturday's demonstrations, seeking to prevent a repeat of the violence and looting that accompanied earlier rallies.

The protests initially gained momentum in September, led by high school and university students demanding improvements to education, including better-funded schools, more teachers and improved learning conditions. They have since expanded into a broader movement involving labour unions, Yellow Vest activists and other groups opposing the rising cost of living, inequality and deteriorating public services. 

Saturday's demonstrations marked the third consecutive weekend of nationwide mobilisation, with further protests and a nationwide strike called for Nov. 5.

Read more: France says 410,000 join protests, Union puts turnout at 800,000