320,000 join nationwide protests in France in reduced turnout, says government

Protesters in Paris (Teresa Suarez/AP)

The French government has estimated that 320,000 people protested nationwide on Saturday in demonstrations focused on high living costs, fewer than in previous demonstrations.

Mass protests on October 17 drew more than 500,000 people around France, and events on October 24 drew 410,000, according to government estimates.

Organisers’ turnout estimates are much higher.

The Interior Ministry told reporters that of the 320,000 people protesting on Saturday, 70,000 are estimated to have attented the main protest in Paris, which police moved outside the city centre to reduce the risk of unrest around government buildings and tourist sites after a last-minute court battle.