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France has announced plans to deploy about 70,000 police officers nationwide on Saturday to prepare for new protests after violent clashes during demonstrations last weekend, the government said on Friday.
President Emmanuel Macron has called for a firm response to acts of violence, while the government has tightened security measures in major cities. The protests are expected to focus on school conditions and the rising cost of living.
Also, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said authorities were preparing for demonstrations across the country. Courts have sentenced 217 people to prison following last weekend’s unrest, while the government has pledged a tougher response to public disorder.
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Macron has called for “the utmost severity” against what he described as “acts of delinquency.” He has also accused groups he identified as the “ultra-left” of trying to “bring down the republic.”
Authorities have introduced restrictions in Lyon, Paris and Marseille ahead of the planned demonstrations. Security deployment is also expected to increase by 20 per cent in some areas.
However, the response has raised concerns about police conduct and the use of crowd-control weapons. The unrest comes following growing political tensions in France.
Macron has also postponed a planned visit to Nigeria and Senegal as the government prepares for the demonstrations.
