France will engage about 70 thousand effective police officers across the country on Saturday, in efforts to prevent new riots after violence and robberies that erupted last weekend during protests against rising cost of living.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said special units, trained for the fight against terrorism and the rescue of hostages, will be involved in the security operation. According to him, violence by extreme leftist groups has been called on in social networks.
We are prepared to act with maximum determination and will tolerate nothing, Nuñez said after a meeting with senior government officials, led by President Emmanuel Macron.
In addition to the additional 10,000 effectives, authorities will use water cannons, armoured vehicles, helicopters, fears and policemen riding horses to ensure order and security.
The French government is facing a difficult situation as last weekend’s protests ended in clashes, robbery and destruction in some of the country’s largest cities, including Paris, Marseilles and Lyons. In the city of Limog, the city was engulfed in flames and seriously damaged.
Authorities have admitted they lost control during Saturday’s riots, when violent groups broke off from largely peaceful demonstrations and launched attacks on businesses and public buildings.
Protests are expected to take place again Saturday in several French towns, but in some areas they have been banned or restrictions on marching routes have been imposed. In Paris a union march is allowed in the eastern part of the capital, while calls for gatherings by the student union U The NEF and the movement of yellow angels have been rejected.
Union and opposition representatives have criticised the government for limiting the protests. Marylie Léon, secretary general of union CFDT, accused President Macro of abuse of power, arguing that the ban on rallying would not resolve the situation.
Even the radical leftist party La France Insoumesė, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, reacted sharply, claiming government decisions are at risk of increasing tensions and chaos.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Gérad Darman announced that as of Saturday, 217 persons have been imprisoned, half of whom have been convicted for the first time for violations of the law.
Tensions in France come at a time when social discontent is spreading to other European countries. The demonstrations have been warned Saturday in Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Albania. Protesters oppose price hikes, difficulties in coping with housing costs, public sector cuts, and worsening public services.
The situation is also burdened by a serious event in the town of Trappes, west of Paris, where one person was killed and four others injured, among them a 12-year-old girl, during a firearm attack Friday. Police are investigating the possibility that the attack had racist motives.
French authorities have warned they will not tolerate acts of violence and robbery, as the country prepares for another day of protests and increased security measures.
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Source Layer: Signal
