The wave of civil unrest across France this month has exposed how political dissatisfaction and socioeconomic grievances are creating fertile ground for the mobilisation of violent left-wing extremist actors.
The world watched as peaceful protests devolved into violent riots, with almost 800,000 people across France taking to the streets and clashing with roughly 70,000 police. What began as students protesting the failing education system snowballed into wider demonstrations by working-class citizens, trade unions and members of the gilets jaunes (y ellow vest movement) uniting against crippling taxes and the cost-of-living crisis.
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