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Clashes in Paris After New French Protests
Interior Ministry counts 146,000 demonstrators nationwide as police use tear gas in Paris after clashes with violent protesters.
On Saturday, 146,000 demonstrators rallied across France, according to the Interior Ministry, while organisers claimed 250,000; "250,000 is not explained by either side," observers noted. In Paris, the police prefecture counted 46,000, which organisers disputed with 75,000.
Rising cost of living concerns drove these protests, which marked the fourth consecutive weekend of action as France nears presidential elections in five months.
With more than 70,000 police and gendarmes deployed, authorities utilized 25 Centaure armoured vehicles and 15 water cannons as clashes erupted at Place de la Nation.
Police in Marseille dispersed a crowd of 5,200 demonstrators, while authorities reported 18 arrests and more than 15,600 preventive checks nationwide.
Prediction markets suggest a 3.3% probability that France will declare a state of emergency by December 31, with US$2.8 million traded on the contract.