Paris: Turnout Declines on Fourth Saturday of Protests Against the High Cost of Living

Social mobilization in France recorded a decline in turnout during the "Act 4" events held on Saturday, as part of a series of protest movements denouncing the high cost of living and demanding solidarity with youth issues, with public squares appearing less crowded compared to previous days.

Discrepancy in Turnout Figures Between Police and Organizers

The Parisian procession set off from the iconic Place de la République, where demonstrators gathered under the banner of supporting youth and fighting rising prices, heading toward Boulevard Voltaire. According to official estimates issued by the Paris Police Prefecture, the number of participants in the capital reached 46,000, while the youth trade union coordination estimated the figures between 75,000 and 76,000 people.

Nationwide across all French cities, police counted 146,000 participants, compared to 250,000 according to the organizers. These figures represent a decrease compared to the demonstrations held two days earlier, in which the Ministry of the Interior estimated turnout at approximately 575,000 across the country (including 65,000 in Paris), while the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) announced at the time the participation of about 1.6 million demonstrators, 350,000 of whom were in the capital.

Calm Atmosphere Marred by Late-Day Tensions

Although the demonstration took place in a generally calm and orderly atmosphere during the early hours of the day, the conclusion of the march witnessed some tensions and skirmishes between groups of protesters and law enforcement forces, marking the fourth consecutive Saturday of ongoing protests on the streets of France.