France deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes on Saturday as demonstrations over education, inequality and the rising cost of living entered their third consecutive weekend, coinciding with Halloween. Authorities stepped up security measures to prevent a repeat of the violence, looting and vandalism that swept several cities on October 17.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris and other French cities, with some wearing Halloween costumes. The Interior Ministry reported that around 15,000 people had joined demonstrations nationwide by Saturday afternoon, while police had made 27 arrests by 2 pm. Officials described the situation as generally calm.
The protests are unfolding amid a tense political climate, with presidential elections less than six months away and far-right leader Marine Le Pen leading opinion polls. President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concern over the unrest, saying it was "not normal" for France to be in such turmoil so close to an election.
The movement has brought together Yellow Vest activists, trade unions, and high school and university students. Initially centred on deteriorating education conditions, the demonstrations have broadened to include demands over inequality, the cost of living and public services.
Students plan school and university blockades
Two French student unions have called for further demonstrations, urging students to blockade high schools and universities on Tuesday and Thursday before joining a nationwide protest called by workers and trade unions on November 5.
Sabrine Kharbach, spokesperson for the Union Etudiante, told reporters during a protest march in Paris on Saturday that students intended to intensify their agitation.
"Starting this Tuesday, we will blockade our universities and high schools, and we will do so again on Thursday before joining the demonstration on November 5 called by workers and trade unions," she said.
Labour leaders and students have argued that anger over wages, living costs and public services extends beyond the initial student movement. Trade unions have also criticised restrictions on demonstrations, describing them as disproportionate limitations on the right to protest.
70,000 security personnel deployed across France
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had warned of a "very high risk of public disorder", particularly during Halloween celebrations and gatherings planned for Saturday evening.
Authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country, the same number mobilised the previous weekend, when approximately 410,000 people participated in demonstrations. The turnout was lower than the more than 500,000 recorded on October 17, when protests escalated into major unrest.
The security operation included increased checks on roads, at railway stations and across public transport networks. More than 40 metro stations in Paris were scheduled to close, while tram services were expected to face disruption.
The Paris police prefecture authorised a march on the outskirts of the capital, directing demonstrators through a working-class residential neighbourhood. On Boulevard Davout in eastern Paris, where the march was scheduled to begin, several shopkeepers boarded up their businesses, while others chose to remain open as a gesture of solidarity.
Hard-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon announced that he would join the authorised demonstration. He accused Macron's government of becoming "increasingly authoritarian" and said protesters would show their "firm, calm and disciplined determination" to defend the fundamental rights of a free people.
Nunez warns against social media calls for 'revolution'
Nunez said authorities had detected social media posts calling for Halloween gatherings on Saturday evening, with some urging people to launch a "revolution". Other messages encouraged participants to dress up and assemble for what was described as a "night of darkness".
The minister warned that demonstrations would be permitted only under authorised conditions and that gatherings likely to cause disorder would not be allowed in city centres. He also cautioned that protesters would not be permitted to wear masks concealing their identities.
The authorities have imposed a night-time curfew in the Paris neighbourhoods of Republique and Chatelet-Les Halles, which will remain in force from 11 pm to 6 am on Saturday and Sunday.
The restrictions follow the widespread clashes, looting and vandalism reported on October 17. The government has since increased security deployments and imposed restrictions on demonstrations in several cities to prevent a recurrence.
Protests widen beyond education demands
The demonstrations began with students demanding better-funded schools, improved learning conditions and reforms to the education system. They subsequently drew support from trade unions and Yellow Vest activists, with demands expanding to cover inequality, rising living costs and public services.
The movement has also broadened following the security crackdown and serious injuries sustained by some protesters, with greater protection of civil liberties and the right to demonstrate becoming additional demands.
Similar youth-led demonstrations have been reported in other European countries, including Germany, where protests have also been planned over education, healthcare, climate protection and affordable living.
With another nationwide demonstration and strike called for November 5, unions and student groups have signalled that the agitation is likely to continue in the coming days.