Hundreds of thousands have joined nationwide demonstrations over rising living costs, with tear gas, water cannons and mass arrests reported

Mass demonstrations over wages, rising living costs, and government spending cuts have swept France, with crowds facing off with police during a nationwide strike on Thursday. The CGT union estimated that nearly 1.6 million people took part in the latest wave of unrest.

Initially sparked by student anger over education costs and school conditions, the protests have grown into a broader revolt against inequality and cuts to public services. The violence peaked on October 17, when hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Paris, with widespread looting, arson and clashes with riot police. Demonstrations continued over the following two weekends.

The French Interior Ministry, however, put Thursday’s turnout at more than 600,000 – still the highest official figure since the first major demonstrations in September.…