France will deploy a 70,000-strong police presence to contain a widely expected bout of fresh unrest on Saturday, Halloween, in the latest nationwide protests driven by anger over living costs, public services and President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
The demonstrations come two weeks after riots and looting caught security forces off guard, leaving damaged shops, public buildings and businesses in cities across France. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has vowed not to let a repeat happen, describing Saturday as carrying “a very high risk” of unrest and promising “an extremely firm response to any trouble.”
Authorities are alert to rioters possibly using Halloween masks to conceal their identities; laws already allow police to ban face coverings when public order is at risk. The US Embassy advised travellers to avoid areas where demonstrations or large gatherings are planned.
The protests gathered pace in late September as Macron’s minority government launched 2027 budget talks; public debt is approaching 120% of economic output. Students angry at dilapidated schools, crowded classes and an admissions system widely seen as unfair have been joined by trade unions and a re-emergent “Yellow Vest” movement demanding action on the cost of living.
The unrest has inspired youth-led protests across Europe, with demonstrations planned in more than 30 German cities on Saturday.
The Chamber of Commerce estimates losses to retailers exceed 1 billion euros. The unrest has handed a political boost to far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who leads opinion polls ahead of April’s presidential election.
The featured image is illustrative only and is not a photo of the French protests. Saturday’s protests are expected, not yet reported as having happened.
Source: Reuters
