Protest actions in France and other European countries

Protest actions taking place in France

Data regarding the number of participants in protest actions held across France varies. According to the French authorities, more than 300,000 or 320,000 people came out across the country, including approximately 70,000 in Paris. The protest organizers state that the number of participants was much higher and reached almost 500,000. According to media reports, this figure is lower compared to the data from previous weeks. 1TV+3

In Paris, near the Place de la Bastille, the police announced increased mobilization and cordoned off the area where holding a protest was prohibited. Law enforcement officers searched participants and checked their personal belongings and documents. In some cases, citizens were fined 135 euros. The French Minister of the Interior warned demonstrators that in case of using masks, they could face up to one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros. 1TV+2

In Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse, the situation became tense. In Lyon, activists threw explosive devices at the police. In Paris, a "Molotov cocktail" was thrown at one of the police officers, as a result of which he caught fire. The Minister of the Interior assessed this fact as an attempted murder. As a result of the confrontation in Paris, 4 police officers and 1 gendarme were injured. 1TV+3

Protests in other European countries

Protest demonstrations and confrontations were also recorded in other European countries. In Germany, specifically in Frankfurt and Berlin, the actions escalated into riots and looting, where demonstrators robbed shops and threw "Molotov cocktails" at the police. In Portugal, in Lisbon and Porto, the police dispersed citizens who came out to protest the housing crisis using shields and batons. In the capital of Albania, Tirana, the police used water cannons and tear gas against an anti-government demonstration. Rustavi 2