Fifth Saturday of protests in France over cost of living and police legal protection bill

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of France on Saturday, 14 November, for the fifth consecutive weekend of protests, voicing anger over the rising cost of living and a bill in parliament that would give police greater legal protection. The European Union's second-largest economy has seen high-school blockades and mass demonstrations for over a month, while the far right leads polls ahead of next year's presidential election, in which Emmanuel Macron will be replaced.

The interior ministry said about 106,000 people demonstrated nationwide, including 24,000 in Paris, the lowest turnout in recent weeks. Student unions estimated 200,000 participants, almost 100,000 of them in the capital. The ministry reported 219 arrests across the country, with Paris prosecutors saying 45 of those were in the capital. Arrest numbers were also noticeably lower than at earlier mass protests.

The police bill

The Paris rally brought together students, unions and Yellow Vest activists. Some called on the president to resign, and one group carried a giant puppet with a hat reading "Lord Macron". The main focus was a bill giving further protection to police who use their weapons. Its backers, including the far-right party of leading presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen, say a law presuming officers acted in self-defence is needed so they are not automatically suspected of using disproportionate force. Activists call it a "licence to kill", arguing it would hinder the opening of investigations.

Tensions and political backdrop

The largely peaceful rallies of recent weeks have seen some fringe violence and accusations of police brutality. Lawyers said police violence had caused injuries to hands, feet and eyes. In Lyon, police had to step in to protect a television crew attacked by protesters, according to local authorities.

Polls show Macron's popularity at its lowest since he first became president in 2017. Unions have called a new strike day for Tuesday after rejecting the government's promise of a 0.6 percent minimum wage increase, which they called "crumbs".