France will deploy a 70,000-strong police presence to contain a widely expected bout of fresh unrest on Saturday in the latest nationwide protests driven by anger over living costs, public services and President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
The nationwide demonstrations, which fall on Halloween, 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.
“Everyone is on deck to ensure an extremely firm response to any trouble,” Nunez told a news conference earlier this week as he set out details of security arrangements for a day he described as carrying “a very high risk” of unrest.
Authorities are also alert to the possibility that rioters could use Halloween masks to conceal their identities.
Nunez noted that 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.
Facing public debt approaching 120 per cent of economic output and rising borrowing costs, the government is under pressure to rein in spending, narrowing its room for manoeuvre.
Students angry at the dilapidated state of many schools, crowded classes and a university 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 protests have inspired youth-led protests across Europe, with demonstrations planned in more than 30 German cities on Saturday.
The French government’s promises to reform education and ease fuel costs have failed to calm discontent.
