The French government has announced stricter measures to control violent protests, after Paris witnessed clashes between demonstrators and police during a cost-of-living rally. Authorities confirmed that over 70 people were arrested, while dozens of shops and vehicles were damaged in the city center.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin stated that “freedom to protest does not mean freedom to destroy,” promising tougher penalties for rioters. Protest leaders, however, accused the police of using excessive force. The unrest reflects broader dissatisfaction with rising inflation and government reforms, issues that continue to dominate France’s political landscape.
