France deploys 70,000 police as weekend protests loom over cost-of-living unrest

France is preparing a massive security operation for Saturday, deploying approximately 70,000 police officers and additional military personnel across the country to prevent a repeat of last weekend's violence. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the deployment would include elite counter-terrorism units, helicopters, armored vehicles, water cannons, and mounted police. Nuñez warned on Friday that authorities would be "uncompromising with those who engage in destruction," citing social media calls for violence from what he described as "ultra-left" groups.

The security measures follow several days of riots and looting that erupted during protests over education, job prospects, and the cost of living. Last weekend's violence, which began as largely peaceful demonstrations, resulted in at least two deaths, multiple serious injuries including two people who lost hands, and approximately 2,700 arrests. The government has acknowledged losing control of the situation. Several cities, including Marseille and Lyon, have banned all Saturday protests, while Paris authorities authorized only a limited union-led march along a restricted eastern route.

Multiple large demonstrations are planned for Saturday. France's main student union UNEF is organizing a major rally in Paris, where hundreds of thousands of attendees are expected, and the Yellow Vests movement—which led fuel-tax protests in 2018—has submitted requests for marches. UNEF stated its protests would proceed regardless of authorization denials, citing government restrictions as trampling protest freedoms. The trade union CGT announced it would join the authorized Paris march, though major unions including CFDT have criticized the government's protest restrictions, arguing they will backfire without concrete policy responses to public concerns about living costs and budget cuts.

In response to security threats, many major cultural institutions and businesses are closing or restricting operations Saturday. The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Picasso Museum, and other major museums will be closed. Art Basel Paris canceled its weekend program after opening only Friday. The Paris National Opera canceled Saturday performances, and approximately two dozen metro stations will be closed for much of the day. Shopkeepers across Paris have barricaded their stores, and merchants in Marseille were advised to close for the day. An NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints scheduled for Sunday at the Stade de France is proceeding as planned, though a fan event in Paris was canceled.

Protests over similar grievances—declining public services, housing costs, and budget cuts—are also expected across Europe on Saturday, including in Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Albania. French authorities have also cleared public spaces in Paris of materials that could be used as weapons or projectiles, including barriers, bins, and construction materials. Curfews remain in effect in some cities from the previous weekend.