France has put 70,000 police officers on standby for protests planned for Saturday, in an effort to prevent a repeat of the riots and acts of violence that have gripped several cities in the country in recent weeks.
The demonstrations, which coincide with the Halloween holiday, are organized by students, unions and supporters of the Yellow Vest movement.
Protesters oppose the rising cost of living, rising fuel prices, and the deterioration of public services.
French authorities have warned of a very high risk of escalation, especially during the evening hours. The main concern is the possibility that some protesters will use Halloween masks to hide their identities and avoid being identified by the police.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has warned of a harsh response to any violent act, stressing that all security structures are committed to guaranteeing public order.
Meanwhile, authorities have also imposed restrictions on the route of the main protest in Paris. France’s highest court overturned a lower court’s decision allowing the march from Bastille to Place de la Nation. Instead, demonstrators will be allowed to march on an alternative route, from Porte de Bagnolet to Porte de Charenton, on the outskirts of the capital.
The protests have been growing since September, initially over problems in the education system, such as poor school infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms and concerns about the university admissions system. Later, unions and representatives of the Yellow Vests joined the movement, expanding their demands to economic issues.
Security measures have been tightened after riots two weeks ago, when shops, businesses and public buildings were damaged in several French cities. In Paris, authorities have also imposed restrictions on Saturday and Sunday night in some areas where heavy clashes were recorded on October 17.
The situation has also increased pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s minority government, which is preparing the budget for 2027, at a time when public debt is approaching 120% of Gross Domestic Product.
The protests in France are expected to be joined by rallies in other European countries. According to Reuters reports, more than 30 cities in Germany are expected to be involved in demonstrations this Saturday.