France protests turn violent again, nearly 1,000 arrested

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French police have arrested nearly 1,000 people nationwide as protests against the rising cost of living turned violent in several parts of the country.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said at a press conference on Saturday that extremist far-left groups had subjected law enforcement officers to what he described as “extremely high levels of violence” during the demonstrations, AFP reported.

According to Nuñez, major demonstrations in several cities remained peaceful until far-left groups allegedly threw stones and fireworks at police towards the end, triggering clashes. At least two people were seriously injured in Toulouse and Clermont-Ferrand. In Toulouse, a 20-year-old man reportedly lost a finger.

Nuñez said the overall level of violence was lower than the previous week, when around 2,700 people were arrested and numerous shops were looted. He added that increased security at shopping centres and businesses helped limit damage during the latest protests.

In Paris, the main march ended peacefully, but clashes broke out between police and protesters towards the end. Several thousand radical activists, including around 500 identified rioters, reportedly gathered and clashed with police for more than two hours.

Meanwhile, far-right activists took to the streets for the first time in Cannes and Montpellier, ostensibly to protect businesses or to confront far-left groups directly.

The Interior Ministry ordered police to remain on the highest level of alert through Sunday as authorities continued efforts to control the situation.