In brief
A week after last week’s nationwide riots, France prepares for a new day of protests on Saturday, with police readying 70,000 officers for the crowds. Students, trade unions, and the revived Gilets Jaunes are expected to march across Paris and other cities, while some mayors have already imposed bans or limited routes. The interior ministry vows to crack down on vandals, while museums and major events like a PSG match have been postponed. Critics say the unrest shows deep public anger over cost‑of‑living pressures and political divisions ahead of a potentially split election. As Macron meets with student leaders, tensions still run high as France faces its next political crossroads.
Just a week after the week‑long riot wave that saw police lose the upper hand, French authorities have gone into full‑throttle mode, readying 70,000 officers to meet the inevitable crowds.
Students, trade unions and the revived Gilets Jaunes movement are planning marches in Paris and other cities, even as some mayors have slapped bans or route limits on the streets.
The interior ministry has vowed to zero in on vandalism and looting, with extra courts hearing fast‑track cases and police on standby to act on the day.
Iconic sites, from the Louvre and Orsay to a PSG football match, have been cancelled or moved, and businesses are boarding up windows for safety.
With Macron meeting students ahead of the protest, the stakes are higher – France stands at a political knife‑edge and neighbours the most divisive election period in years.
