France hit by worst unrest in years as attempts to rein in government spending meet citizen ire

A protestor with a gas mask holds a French flag in front of a fire at the Boulevard des Capucines during a demonstration to protest against the "high cost of living", in Paris on October 17, 2026 as part of a nationwide call for mobilisation bringing together various groups expressing their anger. Kiran Ridley | Afp | Getty Images France endured its worst unrest in years this weekend as nationwide protests over high living costs and declining public services turned violent ahead of a key governm