France deploys 70,000 police as government braces for fresh protests

France has deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country as the government readies for another weekend of protests about the cost of living, public services and education, with a hardline response to violence promised.

The demonstrations on Saturday, coinciding with Halloween, come two weeks after riots and looting damaged shops and public buildings across several cities.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a “very high risk” of unrest and said: “Everyone is on deck to ensure an extremely firm response to any trouble.”

Authorities have restricted demonstrations in several city centres and warned that police could prohibit face coverings where public order is threatened. Paris has also imposed overnight curfews in areas previously affected by unrest.

The protest movement, led by students, trade unions and Yellow Vest demonstrators, has grown beyond school issues to encompass general rage against the cost of living, fuel and public services.

Protests by young people have even gone beyond France, with planned demonstrations in over 30 German cities.

The French government faces growing political and economic pressure, with public debt approaching 120% of economic output and the country’s economy contracting in the third quarter, Reuters reported.