France will deploy around 70,000 police officers nationwide on Saturday in an effort to prevent further unrest following violence and looting that erupted last weekend during protests against the rising cost of living.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said special units trained in counterterrorism and hostage rescue would also take part in the security operation. According to Nuñez, calls for violence have been circulating on social media from groups on the far left.
“We are prepared to act with the utmost determination, and we will tolerate nothing,” Nuñez said after a meeting with senior government officials chaired by President Emmanuel Macron.
In addition to 10,000 extra personnel, authorities will deploy water cannons, armoured vehicles, helicopters, drones and mounted police to maintain public order and security.
The French government faces a difficult situation after last weekend’s protests descended into clashes, looting and destruction in several of the country’s largest cities, including Paris, Marseille and Lyon. In Limoges, the town hall was engulfed in flames and severely damaged.
Authorities have acknowledged losing control during Saturday’s unrest, when groups of violent demonstrators broke away from largely peaceful protests and began attacking businesses and public buildings.
Protests are expected to take place again on Saturday in several French cities, although demonstrations have been banned in some areas or restrictions imposed on march routes. In Paris, a trade union march has been authorised in the eastern part of the capital, while requests for demonstrations by the student union UNEF and the Yellow Vests movement have been rejected.
Trade union representatives and opposition figures have criticised the government for restricting protests. Marylise Léon, secretary-general of the CFDT trade union, accused President Macron of abusing his power, arguing that banning demonstrations would not resolve the situation.
The radical-left party La France Insoumise, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, also reacted sharply, warning that the government’s decisions risk escalating tensions and chaos.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that 217 people had been imprisoned since Saturday, half of whom had been punished for breaking the law for the first time.
Tensions in France come as social discontent spreads to other European countries. Demonstrations have been announced for Saturday in Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Albania. Protesters are opposing rising prices, difficulties in covering housing costs, cuts to the public sector and the deterioration of public services.
The situation has also been aggravated by a deadly incident in Trappes, west of Paris, where one person was killed and four others injured, including a 12-year-old girl, in a shooting on Friday. Police are investigating whether the attack was racially motivated.
French authorities have warned that acts of violence and looting will not be tolerated as the country prepares for another day of protests and heightened security measures.
