France protests: nearly 1000 arrested

The French authorities say they arrested nearly a thousand people on Saturday during nationwide protests over the cost of living, but the level of disorder was lower than last weekend.

Also in today's programme: voting begins in a snap general election in Serbia; and, we meet Red Spirit Singers, a Native American singing and drumming group.

Presenter Julian Worricker is joined by Elke Schwarz, a professor of political theory at Queen Mary University of London, and Karen Dobres, an author, businesswoman and activist based in the southern English town of Lewes.

Photo: Nationwide protests against rising living costs and cuts to public services in France, Bordeaux - 24 Oct 2026 Credit: Guillaume Pinon/ EPA/ Shutterstock