France is facing protests over the cost of living crisis fueled by soaring inflation. ​​

Paris, October 24 (RHC)-- France is facing protests over the cost of living crisis fueled by soaring inflation.  Police have clashed with demonstrators venting anger in the capital Paris, as protesters were met with batons.

There are calls by trade unions for a nationwide transport strike.  Unions now say it's time to expand industrial action at oil refineries to other sectors.  Protesters and strikers say they need a substantial pay rise to cope with the soaring cost of living.  France is currently experiencing inflation at 6.2%; the highest rate in decades.

We are especially angry, that is to say that in front of all this loss of purchasing power, there is no answer from this government, just to say that people are only there to block.  But the real demand of the people, who are in the street at the moment, is the purchasing power and the salary increase.

Striking workers are demanding higher wages from the profits of energy companies amid high oil and gas prices.  Protesters have demanded emergency measures against high prices, including freezing the cost of energy.

The industrial action has taken offline more than 60% of France's refining capacity.  The Macron government is also on the defensive in Parliament where it lost its majority in legislative elections in June.  Observers say that it is much more difficult for Macron's centrist alliance to implement his agenda.

France is not the only country in Europe that is facing protests.  European countries are facing ever-increasing strikes and protests due to high energy prices and the mounting cost of living.  The UK economy shrank by 0.3% in August, it experienced a 10.2% inflation rate in September, which was the highest in 40 years, and with the resignation of the Prime Minister, Liz Truss, the economic outlook for Britain is set to get worse.