France witnessed heightened security measures on Saturday as demonstrations against the government continued for a third consecutive weekend, coinciding with Halloween celebrations. Authorities deployed around 70,000 security personnel across the country and imposed restrictions on public gatherings amid fears of renewed violence, while businesses in several areas took precautions by barricading their premises.
The latest wave of demonstrations has brought together students, trade unions and Yellow Vest activists, with demands extending beyond education reforms to include economic inequality, the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services. The protests have emerged as a major challenge for President Emmanuel Macron’s government, particularly with presidential elections less than six months away.
Student organisations have announced plans to intensify their agitation in the coming days, calling for blockades of high schools and universities on Tuesday and Thursday. The unions have also urged students to participate in a nationwide demonstration scheduled for November 5, which has been called by workers and trade unions.
Sabrine Kharbach, spokesperson for the Union Etudiante, announced the proposed action during a protest march in Paris on Saturday. She said students would return to campuses and schools to organise blockades on Tuesday and repeat the action on Thursday before joining the November 5 demonstration. The unions are demanding substantial improvements in the education system, better learning facilities and a response to the concerns raised by students.
The security deployment comes against the backdrop of widespread unrest witnessed on October 17, when demonstrations in several French cities were accompanied by incidents of violence and vandalism. Authorities are keen to prevent a repeat of those disturbances, particularly during Halloween, when social media posts reportedly encouraged people to assemble for gatherings that could turn disruptive.
In Paris, police authorities permitted a demonstration on the outskirts of the capital rather than in the city centre. The approved route passed through a working-class residential neighbourhood with a significant number of social housing establishments. Several shopkeepers along Boulevard Davout in eastern Paris were seen putting up barricades to protect their establishments, while some others chose to keep their businesses open in a show of solidarity with the demonstrators.
Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the left-wing France Unbowed party and a presidential candidate, also announced his participation in the authorised march. He criticised the Macron administration, alleging that the government was becoming increasingly authoritarian. In a message posted on social media platform X, Melenchon said the protesters would demonstrate their determination in a peaceful and disciplined manner while defending the fundamental rights of citizens.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned that the country faced a significant threat of public disorder during the Halloween weekend. According to reports, authorities had identified several social media messages encouraging people to assemble on Saturday evening, with some posts reportedly calling for a revolution and describing the proposed gatherings as a night of darkness.
Nunez said demonstrations would be allowed under established regulations but would not be permitted in city centres. He also cautioned that participants would not be allowed to wear masks or other disguises that concealed their identities, citing concerns over public safety and the possibility of violence.
As an additional precaution, authorities announced a night curfew in the Paris neighbourhoods of Republique and Chatelet-Les Halles. The restrictions were scheduled to remain in force between 11 pm and 6 am on Saturday and Sunday.
The continuing demonstrations have also added to the political uncertainty in France ahead of the presidential elections. President Macron has expressed concern over the scale of unrest, describing the situation as abnormal so close to an election. Meanwhile, the participation of students, labour organisations and other activist groups indicates that the movement has expanded beyond its initial focus on education, bringing broader economic and social grievances into the spotlight.
