Germany Warns Citizens in France After Cost of Living Protests Lead to Mass Arrests

Germany urged its citizens in France to exercise caution on Monday after weekend protests over the high cost of living resulted in more than 2,500 arrests. About half a million people turned out across France on Saturday as unions, school students, and Yellow Vest movement activists joined forces to express their anger. Some demonstrations turned violent, with town halls and shops looted and set ablaze. The 19th-century town hall in Limoges was destroyed by a fire, which local prefect Maurice Barate described as being started by a wild horde.

Official Response

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman in Berlin stated that the images filled them with great concern and that violence has no place on the streets of democracies. The ministry updated its travel and security advice late Sunday, warning that further demonstrations and violence could not be ruled out in the coming days.

Legal Warnings

Germany also warned travellers about recent changes in the law that could lead to fines or criminal charges if they failed to leave a violent demonstration after being told to do so.

Context

Travel advisories are regularly updated by governments during periods of civil unrest to protect citizens abroad. The Yellow Vest movement previously staged major protests in France during President Emmanuel Macron's first term.