‘Yellow vests’ protests to return in France this weekend - how big could they get?

Hundreds of protests and demonstrations are set to take place in France on October 17, with the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) movement calling for a nationwide protest against the cost of living. 

The call started circulating on social media in September, but now it is taking shape with the website currently listing 761 planned mobilisations, many of which are demonstrations and gatherings at roundabouts and service stations - a prominent feature of the original gilet jaunes protests.

While it is unclear whether the new protests will in any way match the scale and longevity of the 2018 protests, which remain one of the longest-running protest movements in French history, with demonstrations continuing every Saturday for more than a year.  

However, the appeal on their website calls for gilets jaunes protesters to join forces with protesting lycée and university students, farmers, firefighters, workers, teachers, healthcare staff, climate campaigners, residents of working-class neighbourhoods and pensioners.

It reads: “We are tired of paying more and more for fuel, shopping and rent,” while arguing that the cost of living has risen without a corresponding improvement in living standards.

The organisers also criticised the government’s proposed 2027 budget, which they say will place further pressure on households and public services.

Gilets jaunes figures back the protests

Several prominent figures associated with the original gilets jaunes movement have publicly expressed their support for the October 17 mobilisation.

Maxime Nicolle, who became known during the 2018 gilets jaunes protests, published a video on Facebook backing the current student movement.

He said he intended to attend a demonstration himself, probably in Paris.

“I invite all adults at the various protest locations on October 17 to stand in front of the young people, between them and the police,” he said.

Jérôme Rodrigues, another prominent gilets jaunes activist, also called for people to join the October 17 mobilisation in a video posted on Instagram.

He said the protests should give a voice to people who struggle working to support their families and who “want to be able to live decently, no longer have to count every cent, and no longer have to choose between eating and driving.”

“Anger has no political party. An empty fridge has no political party,” he said, urging people across France to make their voices heard.

Trade unions express support

Some trade unions have also backed the call for the October 17 protests.

Sophie Binet, general secretary of the CGT trade union confederation, has expressed support for the demands behind the mobilisation.

“We share the demands. The growing momentum behind October 17 shows the scale of the anger, and wherever the conditions are right, the CGT will be there,” she said.

She has also called on the government to respond to the demands of young people and pensioners.

The SUD éducation Paris union, which represents education workers in the capital, said in a statement published on October 9 that the October 17 mobilisation against the cost of living was part of its programme of action.

However, there has not been a nationwide announcement confirming that all teachers’ unions or school pupil representatives will take part in Saturday’s protests.

The national coordination of the September 26 climate movement has also called on its supporters to join the gilets jaunes mobilisation.

It argued that rising fuel costs and environmental damage were linked to the same economic inequalities. 

“The end of the world, the end of the month: the same people are responsible, the same people are affected, the same struggle,” the organisation said in an editorial on the independent media site Basta!

Firefighters’ strike continues

Firefighters are another group that might join in the protests. 

An inter-union strike notice covering fire and rescue service personnel runs until October 20, including Saturday, October 17.

The notice calls for better long-term funding for fire and rescue services, more professional firefighters, improved working conditions and greater recognition of the health risks associated with the job.

However, a strike notice does not necessarily mean firefighters will actually demonstrate on the day. 

Where will demonstrations take place?

The organisers have published an interactive map listing planned gatherings throughout France. 

It currently lists 761 planned mobilisations across France, including nearly 500 demonstrations, nearly 90 roundabout gatherings, 145 actions at service stations, four at refineries and 30 at oil depots.

However, the map may change as more gatherings are announced.