Tear gas grenades are thrown in front of protesters as clashes erupt during a demonstration against the "high cost of living", in Montpellier, southern France, on October 17, 2026 as part of a nationwide call for mobilisation bringing together various groups expressing their anger: former "Yellow Vest", secondary school and university students, climate activists and even farmers. After weeks of student protests, France faces broader, nationwide demonstrations on October 17, 2026 over the cost of living, setting up a potentially fraught six months heading into a presidential election. A police source told AFP that authorities estimated nearly 200,000 people could take part, with 40,000 in Paris. (Photo by Sylvain THOMAS / AFP)
Firefighters extinguish a fire in the bar 'La Barrique' during a demonstration against the "high cost of living", in Paris on October 17, 2026 as part of a nationwide call for mobilisation bringing together various groups expressing their anger: former "Yellow Vest", secondary school and university students, climate activists and even farmers. After weeks of student protests, France faces broader, nationwide demonstrations on October 17, 2026 over the cost of living, setting up a potentially fraught six months heading into a presidential election. A police source told AFP that authorities estimated nearly 200,000 people could take part, with 40,000 in Paris. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)
A protester holds a placard reading "We want emotional intelligence, not institutional violence" during a demonstration to protest against the "high cost of living", in Nantes, western France, on October 17, 2026 as part of a nationwide call for mobilisation bringing together various groups expressing their anger: former "Yellow Vest", secondary school and university students, climate activists and even farmers. After weeks of student protests, France faces broader, nationwide demonstrations on October 17, 2026 over the cost of living, setting up a potentially fraught six months heading into a presidential election. A police source told AFP that authorities estimated nearly 200,000 people could take part, with 40,000 in Paris. (Photo by Sebastien Salom-Gomis / AFP)
« Plus de 500.000 » personnes ont participé aux actions et défilés organisés samedi en France contre la « vie chère », a indiqué le syndicat CGT, appelant le gouvernement à « arrêter de réprimer », après les affrontements observés entre manifestants et forces de l’ordre.
« Le gouvernement doit arrêter de réprimer et répondre immédiatement aux revendications sociales », a indiqué dans un message à l’AFP le syndicat, qui faisait partie des organisations ayant appelé à participer.
Il salue une « nouvelle grande journée de mobilisation, la plus importante depuis la rentrée » avec « 1.750 rassemblements ou manifestations dans toute la France » et « plus de 500.000 manifestants » à 17H00 (15H00 GMT).
