Thousands of people took to the streets of Paris to protest the high prices. This increases pressure on President Macron’s government.

The campaign for a wage increase was organized, among other things, by left-wing opposition parties. The organizers described it as a march against the high cost of living and against negative behavior in the climate crisis. Demonstrators demanded a freeze on energy prices, rents and basic commodities.

Garbage bins were set on fire and vandalized. Despite these incidents, the police said they had the situation under control.

Crowds closed a number of streets:

Organizers say there are more than 140,000 protesters, but police put the number at 30,000, according to French media.

In a speech, the leader of the far-left La France Insoumise party, Melenchon, said Macron’s leadership had thrown France into chaos.

Macron’s coalition lost a majority in parliament in June. This makes it more difficult to implement his policy. The budget plan for next year is under pressure among other things.

Several unions called for a major strike day for carriers. It is scheduled for next Tuesday.

In France, there have also been strikes in the fuel sector for some time, which caused a huge fuel shortage. This led to long lines of motorists waiting at gas stations.