PARIS: Thousands of striking workers protested across France on Thursday against the rising cost of living in a new escalation following weeks of demonstrations, with police firing tear gas as violence and vandalism broke out in some cities.
More than 270,000 people had already taken to the streets across the country, the interior ministry reported, before a major march kicked off in Paris from 2pm (1300 GMT).
The demonstrations come as the eurozone's second largest economy battles to redress its finances, six months ahead of elections to replace centrist President Emmanuel Macron, with the far right leading in opinion polls.
The high school student movement that began with youths protesting over learning conditions has coincided with widespread anger over the rising cost of living and inequality, which culminated on Oct 17 in the worst rioting France has seen in years.
