PARIS — Hundreds of thousands of mostly young protesters took to the streets across France on Saturday in a third consecutive weekend of demonstrations over living costs and education.
About 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed across the country, and Paris marches were rerouted to the capital's edge. Youth-led demonstrations were also reported in Germany and Italy.
France's government estimated that 320,000 people protested nationwide Saturday, fewer than in previous protests but still a significant turnout. Mass protests on Oct. 17 that deteriorated into some of France's worst rioting in years drew more than 500,000 people around France, and demonstrations on Oct. 24 drew 410,000, according to government estimates. Organizers' turnout estimates are much higher.
Authorities in France reported about 300 arrests nationwide so far — down from 800 at the same point in last week's protests.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a "very high risk" of disorder, especially after dark on Halloween. Police had arrested thousands of people following riots and looting that marred the largely peaceful protest marches the previous two Saturdays.
At Porte de Bagnolet,…