France to have new protests and 70,000 agents on the streets

After more than a month of protests in France, new demonstrations are scheduled for this Saturday (24) in several cities of the country. The government has announced an enhanced security scheme, with 70,000 police and special agents deployed to contain possible episodes of violence, looting and depredation.

The protests come a week after demonstrations against the high cost of living gathered more than 500,000 people, according to estimates from the country's press. The protests were accompanied by police repression and damage to commercial establishments. About 1,800 people were arrested last Saturday (17).

Government strengthens security and restricts acts

On Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron recommended that the population not participate in demonstrations in the coming days. He said, after a meeting of the French Security Council, that only acts organized by trade unions would be allowed on Saturday.

The decision provoked a reaction from left-wing parties. Seven subtitles have appealed to the Council of State, the highest instance of French administrative justice, to challenge the president’s statements.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced on Friday that 70,000 police and special agents would be deployed across the country. The workforce is about 15% higher than the one employed in the previous week, when 60,000 members of the security forces were deployed.

Authorities monitor networks and call for surveillance

According to Nuñez, the authorities identified on social networks calls for violent acts and looting. The security scheme will have specialized units, armored vehicles and equipment for dispersing crowds.

The government also called on digital platforms such as Meta, Snap and TikTok to maintain enhanced surveillance over the weekend.

Cities impose curfews and close museums

Authorities have authorized acts in at least eight major cities, according to an AFP report. The rules, however, vary from municipality to municipality.

In Paris, the police had approved a route between the Bastille and the Nation squares, organized by trade unions. The demonstration of student groups and members of the yellow vests, between the Bastille and the Paris Opera, was banned.

On Friday, a trade union coalition said police had ordered a change in route, which would link the Porte de Vincennes to the Porte d'Italie. Karl Ghazi, one of the leaders of the association, criticized the change and said that the new route makes it difficult to control it.

In Paris, museums such as the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais and the Picasso Museum will be closed on Saturday, according to the French Ministry of Culture. The Paris Opera will also suspend its activities.

After chaos in protests, cities in France decree curfew. The measure was adopted after more than 150 shops were looted and some looted in the city. The local tourism office was also set on fire during the violence.

Curfews have also been announced in at least ten cities.

Orléans concentrates acts against extreme right

The city of Orléans is also expected to host demonstrations this weekend. The municipality hosts a congress of the far-right party Reagrupamento Nacional (RN), from presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (25).

The government estimates that between 20,000 and 30,000 people from different regions of France participate in acts against the party on Saturday. The program of the congress foresees about 5,000 participants on the first day and 10,000 on Sunday.

The course of the demonstration was changed on Friday. The protest, which would initially pass through the city center, will begin in the morning in the northern region of Orleans.

The governor of Loiret state, Hugues Moutouh, banned demonstrations on Sunday for security reasons. Around 3,000 agents are expected to be mobilized to follow up on the weekend’s events.

Cultural and sporting events are affected

The international contemporary art fair Art Basel has cancelled the opening scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

In football, the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, of the campeonato francês, was rescheduled from Sunday to Monday at the request of the Paris police.

The tightened security scheme and restrictions on public events reflect the tension that persists in France after weeks of demonstrations. Saturday’s outcome may influence the next steps of the government and social movements.

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