France Braces for Violent Protests as Police and Prefects Receive Tighter Security Orders

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has warned that this weekend's mass protests against the high cost of living and inequality carry a very high risk of violence. The demonstrations are planned for Saturday, which coincides with Halloween. They have been called by the "yellow vests" movement and by associations of high school and university students.

On Wednesday the minister ordered the Paris police chief and regional prefects (the state's representatives in the regions) to organise strict security measures. His directive says that many calls to gather in city centres and public squares across the country have been identified on social media, using Halloween as a pretext. After analysing those calls, the minister concluded that the organisers are planning further violence and disorder.

What came before

The concern stems from 17 October, when protests escalated into widespread unrest. Government authorities have acknowledged failures in the security and intelligence systems that allowed the clashes, large-scale looting and vandalism of state property to happen. Last weekend's protests were largely peaceful, although violent incidents still occurred in Paris and other cities. On Monday the government announced a series of specific measures aimed at addressing the demands of the student protesters.

Political backdrop

The protests are taking place amid a increasingly tense political climate. Only six months remain until the presidential election, and opinion polls show Marine Le Pen, leader of the national-conservative National Rally (RN), in the lead.