France Deploys 70,000 Police to Contain Expected Halloween Riots

France intends to deploy 70,000 police officers to contain a new, widely expected wave of unrest today, Saturday, in the latest protests driven by anger over the cost of living, public services, and President Emmanuel Macron's government.

The anticipated demonstrations across the country coincide with "Halloween" celebrations, and authorities are preparing for the possibility that rioters may use "Halloween" masks to conceal their identities, according to Reuters.

The upcoming protests come two weeks after riots and looting caught security forces off guard, resulting in damage to shops, public buildings, and businesses in cities throughout France. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez pledged not to allow this to happen again.

Nuñez said at a press conference last week announcing details of the security arrangements for a day he described as carrying a "very high probability" of unrest: "Everyone is on standby to ensure a very firm response to any riots."

Nuñez noted that laws already allow the police to ban face coverings when public order is threatened.

The US Embassy advised travelers to avoid areas scheduled to see demonstrations or large gatherings.

The pace of protests accelerated in late September/September as the government began talks on the 2027 budget.

The government is under pressure to curb spending amid a public debt approaching 120 percent of economic output and rising borrowing costs, narrowing its room for maneuver.

Students angry about the deteriorating state of many schools, overcrowded classrooms, and a university admission system widely seen as unfair have been joined by labor unions and the "Yellow Vests" movement, which has reappeared demanding action on the cost of living.

Protests Spread Across Europe

The protests inspired youth-led demonstrations across Europe, with rallies planned in more than 30 German cities today, Saturday.

The French government's promises to reform education and ease fuel costs failed to quell the discontent.

Aaron Bertier de Grandry, a 15-year-old high school student from the Nogent-sur-Marne suburb of Paris who intends to join protests for the third weekend in a row, said: "When I was young, I was told that youth are the future."

He added, "Well, if we, the future of France, lack resources, it means France will eventually collapse."

The unrest gave a political boost to far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who tops opinion polls ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for April/April, while Macron's potential centrist successors remain divided.

The unrest represents the latest blow to an economy that data released on Friday showed was already contracting in the third quarter.

Chamber of Commerce estimates indicate retail losses exceeding one billion euros (1.1 billion dollars). Other estimates put total losses at double this figure when accounting for uninsured damages and lost revenue.

Along major shopping streets in Paris, early Christmas decorations illuminate windows boarded up and covered with security nets. Among the stores targeted in previous unrest were outlets belonging to luxury brands, including Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry.

The government is proceeding with a controversial law making rioters liable to pay up to 10,000 euros (11,000 dollars) in compensation for damages they cause themselves or those caused by groups they are deemed members of. Human rights groups and some lawyers argue this measure risks undermining the right to peaceful protest.