France on edge as fresh nationwide protests begin amid last-minute restrictions

Another round of protests against the rising cost of living, fuel prices and education funding has started today in France. Though the majority of protests have been peaceful, rioting and looting took place in several French cities, with authorities bracing for more of the same. Business owners have been boarding up windows and shopfronts, with many fearing demonstrations could spiral out of control. Our reporter Valérie Goriat is in Lyon. I'm in one of Lyon's most exclusive shopping neighbourhoods which is usually very crowded on a normal Saturday but today a lot of the stores are boarded up and most of those which are not have remained closed. The shopkeepers who did open their doors to me tell me they are traumatised, they're afraid and they blame the authorities for not supporting them enough. I'm Valérie Goriat in Lyon for Euronews. While restrictions have been imposed in several cities across France, some demonstrations have already begun. A trade union march is scheduled to take place in Marseille. In Bordeaux, trade unions are challenging a ban on their planned city centre demonstration. Curfews and restrictions on gatherings have also been introduced in Toulouse, Limoges and Saint-Étienne. In Orléans, tens of thousands of people opposing the far-right National Rally are expected to demonstrate as the party holds its annual congress. Thank you.