France Prepares for New Protests Amid High Tensions
Authorities deploy 70,000 officers as demonstrations are planned a week after widespread unrest.
France is bracing for a new wave of nationwide protests on Saturday, a week after the country experienced significant unrest that led to hundreds of arrests and widespread damage. The interior ministry plans to deploy 70,000 police officers to manage demonstrations across the nation, with concerns that protesters may defy restrictions.
Officials have stated a firm stance against violence and vandalism. "We will not let anything go unchallenged," said Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. "We will be uncompromising with the vandals, with the looters, and all those who commit acts of violence." He noted that social media had shown numerous calls for violence, attributed to the "far left and radical extreme left."
President Emmanuel Macron met with student representatives on Friday. While commitments were reportedly made, students were encouraged to "continue to mobilise." Macron's government had previously decreed that only demonstrations organized by recognized trade unions would be permitted. However, cities such as Lyon, Nice, and Montpellier have implemented broader bans on gatherings. Despite these measures, hundreds of demonstrations are expected across France.
In Paris, a march organized by a student trade union, with support from labor groups, has been directed to avoid the city center. Preparations are underway in key areas, with museums like the Louvre, Orsay, and Picasso set to close. A scheduled Paris Saint-Germain football match has been postponed, and some businesses have boarded up windows in anticipation of potential looting.
The protests have drawn support from various groups, including a revived gilet jaunes (yellow-vest) movement, which has attracted support from both left and right-wing factions. This movement, known for large-scale demonstrations during Macron's first term, has listed over 500 planned demonstrations and 200 other actions for Saturday, demanding Macron's resignation. The group has criticized police actions during recent protests and accused authorities of attacking demonstrators.
France is still recovering from the unrest of October 17, which saw shops looted and buildings set ablaze, including the town hall in Limoges. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin reported that 232 individuals have been imprisoned for their involvement in the riots, with over 1,100 appearing in court. Prosecutors have been instructed to seek punitive measures for those convicted of looting or assaulting police, including bans on participating in demonstrations and restrictions on social media access.
The current climate of disillusionment is exacerbated by rising living costs and concerns about future government spending cuts due to national debt. The political landscape is also polarized as France approaches a potentially divisive election period. Macron is expected to leave office next spring, with current polling suggesting his centrist movement may not reach the final runoff. This could lead to a runoff between candidates from the hard-right National Rally and the radical-left La France Insoumise.
Leaders from both major opposition parties have blamed Macron's government for the disorder. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader and presidential candidate of La France Insoumise, has criticized policing tactics and accused Macron of undermining the republican state. He has called on his supporters to join the protests.
A National Rally conference in Orléans is also anticipated to be a focal point, with left-wing groups expected to gather in the city where thousands of National Rally members are scheduled to hear Marine Le Pen speak. The city's mayor has warned of unprecedented numbers and announced a significant police deployment and suspension of public transport to manage potential clashes.