Millions of citizens, including students, union members, and Yellow Vest movement supporters, are mobilizing across France today to protest against soaring living costs and poor school conditions. Authorities are on high alert due to fears of violence amid these demonstrations.
The French government and security forces are prepared for a significant response to the scheduled protests, which number around 500 nationwide, including approximately 90 major demonstrations, as confirmed by a source from the Ministry of the Interior, according to Euronews.com.
This movement follows four weeks of student protests that began in high schools in Paris suburbs, triggered by teacher absences and outdated facilities. The demonstrations have now expanded across the country, fueled by the ongoing cost of living crisis, with gasoline prices reaching €2.20 per liter, as reported by Reuters.
Authorities Brace for Chaos
Officials anticipate the possibility of violent outbreaks in Paris and other major cities. A source from the Ministry of the Interior warned that any disruption to transport routes and infrastructure would not be tolerated.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that the students’ movement is evolving into a “wave of urban violence,” while opposition leader Jordan Bardella remarked that Saturday is poised to be “a day of chaos for France.” Authorities blame the far-left group La France Insoumise for inciting the protests, as its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon encouraged supporters to resist police brutality, later clarifying that he advocates for peaceful means.
Injuries and Investigations into Police Brutality
Recent protests and student demonstrations have resulted in hundreds of injuries. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported that 937 police officers and gendarmes have been injured since the protests began, alongside 248 students and 149 teaching staff.
The government is investigating police conduct during these events, having launched 36 inquiries into alleged brutality. Among the cases is that of a 14-year-old who lost a hand due to a stun grenade and a 15-year-old who was blinded in one eye by a rubber bullet.
Although the use of such weapons has been suspended, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that stun grenades will be authorized on Saturday in the event of severe urban violence.
In light of the ongoing events, the National Police Alliance union announced plans to file a complaint against the state for “endangering the lives of others,” citing contradictory orders received by police and the exposure to violence during school protests.
Call for Calm Amidst Turmoil
The protests come at a challenging time for France, as President Emmanuel Macron enters the final phase of his term, leaving behind a polarized electorate and a fragmented political landscape. The government is grappling with a major public debt crisis while trying to pass a budget that includes austerity measures in a parliament lacking a clear majority. This situation has driven borrowing costs to their highest levels in two decades.
President Macron publicly called for calm on Friday, asserting that while the right to protest is “fully respected,” it must be accompanied by respect for people and property. He urged: “That is why I call for calm and respect: these rights must be preserved.”
