France stations 70,000 police for Saturday's national marches

French authorities plan to deploy 70,000 police officers across the country this Saturday to manage a new wave of demonstrations. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the number on Friday, noting that the force will be supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. This massive mobilization follows a chaotic week of unrest that resulted in looted shops and burned vehicles.

The current protest movement began last month at a single high school southeast of Paris due to staff shortages. It has since expanded to include workers and students nationwide. Participants are demanding more teachers, better school infrastructure, and increased university capacity. Unions are also pressing for higher wages and pension reforms to offset the rising cost of living.

Student groups have proposed a ten-point plan to resolve the disputes. The proposal includes creating 250,000 additional higher education places and ending the Parcoursup admissions system. It also seeks an extra 200 euros per month in student grants and a rent freeze in public housing facilities.

Police adjusted the Paris march route on Friday to confine the crowd to the city's southeastern edge. The path now runs between Porte d'Italie and Porte de Vincennes, replacing the original planned route from Bastille to Nation. Officials expect a large turnout, similar to the more than 500,000 people who marched last week. In central Paris, dozens of gendarmes are already positioned beneath the Arc de Triomphe and along nearby avenues.

Local authorities have banned marches in several cities, including Lyon, Nice, and Montpellier, while allowing demonstrations to proceed in Paris and Marseille. French media reported that police used tear gas in Lyon on Saturday morning. Trade unions have criticized these bans, arguing they violate the freedom of expression protected by the constitution.

Businesses and cultural institutions are preparing for potential disruptions. The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Picasso Museum, and Grand Palais will close for the day. The Grand Palais is currently hosting a major Cézanne exhibit. Art Basel opened to the public on Friday for a single day but cancelled its weekend program due to the threat of unrest. Approximately 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted during the previous weekend's protests.

Akram Ahmed, a 34-year-old contractor, was boarding up an optician's shop near Saint-Lazare station on Friday. He stated that he received the call the previous night and that the owner told him he was saving his life. In Limoges, two suspects in the fire that nearly destroyed the 19th-century city hall are under formal investigation. The probe includes charges of attempted murder of a public official.

President Emmanuel Macron faces this crisis in the final stretch of his term, with popularity at its lowest point since 2017. He has stated that the measures are necessary to protect city centers, businesses, and public buildings. In Orléans, thousands gathered for an anti-far-right protest during a congress of Marine Le Pen's party, which is ahead of next spring's presidential election.