Thousands Protest in Paris against Rising Cost of Living
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Paris adding to growing defiance and anger about inflation, three weeks into a refinery strike that caused fuel shortages across France.
The demonstration against the rising cost of living on Sunday was called by the left-wing political opposition and led by the head of the France Unbowed party, Jean-Luc Melenchon, Al Jazeera reported.
It was a show of anger against the bite of rising prices and to crank up the pressure on the government of President Emmanuel Macron.
Organizers called it a “march against the high cost of living and climate inaction”.
As well as calling for massive investment against the climate crisis, they also demanded emergency measures against high prices, including freezes in the costs of energy, essential goods and rent, and for greater taxation of windfall profits by corporations.
Some protesters wore yellow florescent vests, the symbol of often violent anti-government protests in 2018 that shook Macron’s pro-business centrist government.
Opponents of Macron are hoping to build on the momentum created by the refinery standoff that began at the end of September.
Transport strikes called for Tuesday threaten to dovetail with wage strikes that have already hobbled fuel refineries and depots, sparking chronic gasoline shortages that are fraying nerves among millions of workers and other motorists dependent on their vehicles, with giant lines forming at petrol stations.
“We’re going to have a week the likes of which we don’t see very often,” Melenchon said from atop a truck in the middle of the crowd. “Everything is coming together. We are starting it with this march, which is an immense success.”
Organizers said 140,000 people attended Sunday’s rally. Police earlier predicted about 30,000 people would attend.
Organizers claimed 140,000 people took part in Sunday's march, while authorities put the number at 30,000, according to media reports.
Public sector workers such as teachers, nuclear workers and railway workers are also expected to protest on Tuesday in response to calls from French unions.
In recent days, the government of French President Emmanuel Macron has been working hard to find a solution to resolve oil refinery strikes in an attempt to return things to normal life. Earlier this week, Macron said the conflict must be resolved soon.
