Violent Cl∆shes Erupt in France as 500,000 Protesters March Against Soaring Inflation

Police clashed with protesters in Paris and other French cities on Saturday during nationwide demonstrations against rising inflation, leaving one demonstrator with a blown-off hand. Fires were set, while looters reportedly broke into dozens of shops and stole goods.

The unrest comes after weeks of student protests, adding to political uncertainty in France ahead of elections scheduled in six months to replace President Emmanuel Macron.

The French president and his government faced criticism from demonstrators, with the CGT trade union estimating that 500,000 people participated in the nationwide marches. Authorities had not immediately released their own figures.