The Guardian World · Oct 18, 2026

Arrests over France protests rise to 1,800, with whole streets in Paris ‘devastated’ – Europe live

Interior minister says ‘the Republic will not yield’ to France’s worst protests in years Emmanuel Macron will give a televised address to the French public this evening on the protests and unrest on Saturday. The French President will speak at 8pm French time (6pm GMT), after more than 1,800 people were arrested on Saturday in connection with violence that spread from protests against the cost of living.