French police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse demonstrators in central Paris on Sunday, as tensions continued following nationwide protests over rising living costs that resulted in more than 2,000 arrests.
According to French newspaper Le Parisien, fresh confrontations broke out at Place de la République after calls circulated on social media urging protesters to gather in the square.
Police intervened to disperse the crowd and detained several individuals as tensions escalated.
Some demonstrators erected barricades, while firefighters responded to a blaze on nearby Rue Yves-Toudic.
The Paris police prefecture confirmed that officers had been deployed to restore order and carry out arrests following disturbances at the gathering.
The renewed unrest came a day after large demonstrations across France were accompanied by clashes, vandalism and damage to commercial properties.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced an updated nationwide total of more than 2,000 arrests following Saturday’s violence.
He also confirmed that over 600 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters had been injured during the disturbances.
Nuñez cautioned that the injury figures remained preliminary, while investigations were continuing to identify those responsible for violent incidents and extensive damage to businesses.
Meanwhile, the Élysée Palace announced that President Emmanuel Macron would address the French public at 8pm on Sunday.
Before delivering his address, Macron was scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and relevant government ministers.
The planned presidential statement comes as French authorities respond to a second consecutive day of unrest linked to protests over the cost of living.