France sends tens of thousands of police to the streets: 'Most serious risks'

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the deployment of approximately 70,000 police officers across France this weekend, following calls for violent protests by extremist groups and the 'Yellow Vests' movement. The minister warned of 'most serious risks' to public order and stated that the security forces' response would be firm. The background includes social tensions, failed dialogue with student organizations, and a cost-of-living crisis.

France is deploying tens of thousands of police officers to the streets following warnings from Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez about 'most serious risks' to public order this coming weekend. The minister announced a renewed deployment of approximately 70,000 security personnel across the country, aiming to prevent violence and maintain calm. This follows calls by extremist groups on social networks to organize violent gatherings, coinciding with Halloween celebrations. The minister made clear that the security forces' response would be very firm, and that policing would leverage the widespread presence to prevent the celebrations from being used to conceal identities. The protest calls come from the far-left movement and the 'Yellow Vests' movement, urging people to take to the streets in major cities starting at 8:00 PM. The deployment comes after last weekend saw about 410,000 people march, and police presence helped prevent looting and vandalism. The background to the protests includes growing social and political tensions, failed dialogue between the government and student organizations and trade unions, a cost-of-living crisis, and calls for escalation with additional protests on October 31 and a general strike on November 5.