France sees third weekend of protests drawing 320,000 amid clashes

France’s third consecutive weekend of protests drew an estimated 320,000 people nationwide, including about 70,000 in Paris, according to government and police figures; turnout was lower than in the previous weekends but remained substantial. Demonstrators, including students, unions and Yellow Vest activists, protested living costs, school conditions and other concerns as the government debates its 2027 budget. Authorities deployed about 70,000 security personnel ahead of Halloween, and clashes in Paris and other cities led police to use tear gas; officials reported arrests. Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon joined the Paris march, while the government and critics accused his party of helping fuel unrest, an allegation he rejected.