Tear gas, clashes hit French cities in cost-of-living protests

PARIS, Oct 17: Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters in several French cities on Saturday as some of the most violent protests in years over living costs and public services drew thousands onto the streets.

French authorities said 140 protests involving 32,800 people had been recorded outside Paris by midday and blamed the unrest on what they described as the "ultra-left".

Violent incidents were reported in several cities, including vandalism in Marseille and attacks targeting police, media and public buildings, the Interior Ministry said.

A large police presence was visible in central Paris, especially near landmarks such as the Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, which were excluded from the routes of two authorised demonstrations.

Protesters in high-visibility vests blocked streets, recalling the Yellow Vest movement that marked President Emmanuel Macron's previous term in office.

Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron called for calm on the eve of nationwide cost-of-living protests Saturday that authorities fear could lead to a violent escalation of weeks of student demonstrations.

With the rallies promising a fraught six month run-in to the country's presidential election, Paris authorities banned protests in the heart of the capital. 

The country's Yellow Vest movement, which eight years ago staged street protests against Macron's government, called Saturday's "yellow and youth" demonstrations. �" Agencies