Thousands protest in Paris against rising cost of living

The demonstrations against the rising cost of living on Sunday were called by the left-wing political opposition and led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France’s Indomitable Party, Al Jazeera reported.

It’s a sign of anger over rising prices and increased pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government.

Organisers called it “a march against the high cost of living and climate inaction”.

In addition to calling for massive investment in the climate crisis, they also called for urgent measures to tackle high prices, including freezing the cost of energy, basic goods and rent, and taxing corporate windfall profits.

Some protesters wore yellow fluorescent vests, a symbol of the often violent anti-government protests in 2018 that rocked Macron’s pro-business centrist government.

Macron’s opponents hope to build on the momentum created by the refinery standoff that began in late September.

The transport strike called for on Tuesday threatens to coincide with wage strikes that have already bogged down fuel refineries and oil depots, sparking a chronic gasoline shortage that has jittered millions of workers and other vehicle-dependent motorists, with gas stations forming. Huge team.

“We’re going to have a week that we don’t see very often,” Melenchon said from a truck in the middle of the crowd. “Everything is converging. We started with this parade and it was a huge success.”

Organizers said 140,000 people attended Sunday’s rally. Police had earlier expected around 30,000 people to attend.

According to media reports, organizers claimed that 140,000 people participated in Sunday’s march, while the authorities put the number at 30,000.

Public sector workers such as teachers, nuclear workers and railroad workers are also expected to protest the French union’s call on Tuesday.

In recent days, French President Emmanuel Macron’s government has struggled to find a solution to the refinery strike, trying to get things back to normal. Earlier this week, Macron said the conflict must be resolved quickly.