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French government

Government of France

World · 18 Oct 2026French school and cost-of-living protests turn violent, 1,200 arrested

Violence broke out across France on Saturday during the latest day of demonstrations against conditions in schools and the cost of living. At least 1,200 people were arrested, shopfronts were smashed, and stores were looted, leaving Parisians waking up to damage and cleanup efforts. The French government described the events as an 'escalation in violence.'