French budget clash hits fourth week

The conflict over France's public finances deepened this weekend as demonstrators clashed with police for the fourth consecutive Saturday. The Interior Ministry reported that 146,000 people marched nationwide, while a youth union alliance claimed the total reached 250,000. Paris alone saw between 46,000 and 75,000 participants, depending on the counting body.

The unrest began in late September when high-school students demanded better conditions. University students and trade unions joined the effort in subsequent weeks. This current phase follows the National Assembly's rejection of the revenue section of the 2027 budget. The government is now balancing the need to address public anger with the requirement to control spending.

Police arrested at least 360 people across the country. Tear gas was deployed in Paris as protesters threw projectiles near Place de la Nation. In other cities, clashes involved burning garbage cans. A separate, banned Yellow Vest gathering at Place de la Concorde was blocked by police, who arrested two movement leaders.

Turnout dropped compared to the previous three weekends. It also fell short of the 575,000 people counted on Nov. 5 during a union-led demonstration. The Yellow Vest movement, which started in 2018 against fuel-tax increases, has expanded its focus to broader living costs and President Emmanuel Macron's policies.

The government's original budget proposal now moves to the Senate. Debates on that document are scheduled to begin on Nov. 20. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will meet with labor and employer representatives on Monday. The goal of that meeting is to discuss wages and purchasing power.