French police started firing tear gas at protesters and arrested 135 people as tens of thousands joined fresh demonstrations over the high cost of living and strained public services across the country.

In the southeastern city of Lyon, police used tear gas to disperse around 150 protesters near the city center, where demonstrations had been banned, after they briefly attempted to block a road.

Authorities deployed 70,000 security personnel nationwide, particularly in areas hardest hit by last weekend’s unrest, to prevent a repeat of the rioting and looting.

In Paris, shops boarded up their windows and removed merchandise from shelves as police prepared riot gear and several metro stations, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay closed amid fears of further unrest.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said calls for violence and looting had circulated on social media, warning that authorities would not tolerate disorder.

Saturday’s demonstrations also drew counter-protesters opposing far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose National Rally party was holding a congress in Orléans ahead of presidential elections scheduled in six months.

The French government’s security measures drew criticism from rights groups. Amnesty International warned of “a slide toward authoritarian practice,” while Human Rights Watch (HRW) said police must protect the public from violence while ensuring that peaceful protests can take place safely.

Last Saturday, demonstrators clashed with police, vandalized public buildings and looted shops in major cities across France. Authorities and business groups reported widespread damage, with thousands of stores affected and losses reaching hundreds of millions of euros.

The protests began with high school students’ anger over poor learning conditions and staff shortages but have expanded into a broader movement against rising living costs and the government’s handling of public services. Students are demanding more teachers, smaller classes, better school infrastructure and increased investment in education.

The unrest is part of a wider wave of youth-led protests across Europe, where young people are voicing frustration over unaffordable housing, uncertain employment prospects, underfunded education and diminishing opportunities.

“The feeling that Europe’s politics is failing to deliver for the next generation” is driving the protests, said Julius Fintelmann, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the European Correspondent newsletter.

Alice de Brito, vice president of France’s main student union, UNEF, said the movements share common demands despite their different national triggers, including greater investment in education and measures to address housing costs and the cost of living.

Protesters in several countries have also drawn inspiration from demonstrations elsewhere, sharing slogans and experiences across borders, although the movements differ in their immediate causes and demands.

In Italy, protests over living costs and other social issues have been accompanied by clashes with police. A march in Milan last weekend descended into violence, with masked rioters throwing stones and other objects at riot police and setting fire to barricades.

France to deploy 70,000 troops for Saturday protests as opposition challenges restrictions

France is going to deploy 70,000 troops across the country to curb protests as French opposition parties challenge restrictions.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Italy has also deployed 500 additional troops to Milan amid concerns about further unrest.

In Albania, demonstrations have focused more heavily on corruption and demands for political change. Protests that turned violent last week escalated into calls for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. Rama rejected the demands, accusing protesters and political opponents of threatening his plans for Albania’s European Union membership.

Housing has emerged as another major flashpoint across the continent. In Portugal, thousands have gathered in Lisbon to demand action on the housing crisis and rising living costs, with some protesters setting up a tent camp in Rossio Square.

Demonstrations in Spain have also focused on housing affordability and evictions, while Italian students have argued that access to affordable housing is essential to pursuing higher education.

The protests come as many European Union countries face high public debt and limited fiscal room to increase spending, complicating demands for greater investment in education, housing and public services.

Young protesters have also raised concerns about an increasingly uncertain job market, including the potential impact of artificial intelligence on entry-level employment.

Further demonstrations are planned across Europe in the coming weeks. These include a nationwide protest call in Germany on October 31 and student-led actions in Britain and Italy on November 20 over the rising cost of education.