Macron Calls for Calm Ahead of Massive Protests in France

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for calm ahead of massive protests scheduled for Saturday denouncing the high cost of living, amid fears that outbreaks of violence could increase tensions in the country after weeks of student demonstrations.

Local authorities have banned rallies in the heart of Paris, just months before the presidential elections scheduled for April and May.

The "Yellow Vests" movement, which led widespread protests against Macron and his government eight years ago, has called for participation in Saturday's mobilizations, which seek to bring together the movement and students, urging teachers, workers, retirees, farmers, and students to join them.

Authorities fear that the convergence of the two protest movements will increase pressure on the government ahead of the electoral deadline.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expects wide participation, while a police source told AFP that estimates suggest around 200,000 people may participate, including 40,000 in Paris.

Macron, speaking from Brussels where he participated in a two-day European Union meeting, called for "calm and respect," stressing that the right to demonstrate must be accompanied by "respect for people and property."

Macron recently considered that the "legitimate" demands of students are being "exploited for political purposes," according to a government spokesperson.

The leader of the radical left-wing party "La France Insoumise," Jean-Luc Mélenchon, announced his support for the student movement and participated in one of the demonstrations in Paris.

In contrast, the far-right "National Rally" party, led by Marine Le Pen, expressed its support for the police, holding students responsible for acts of violence.

On Friday, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered the creation of a crisis unit to monitor the protests.

Lecornu is seeking to pass an austerity budget in Parliament, at a time when protesters demand more protection from inflation and increased spending on public services, particularly education.

Fears of clashes with police

Public anger prevails over what protesters consider excessive use of force by the police during student demonstrations, during which several teenage protesters were injured, while thousands were detained.

Organizers of Saturday's protests created a website listing more than 600 planned demonstrations across France.

As part of preparations for potential violence, Paris police banned a major march in the city center, stating that it would only be possible to organize it in the east of the city.

The main demonstration was scheduled to start at 2:00 PM on Saturday from Place de la République towards northern Paris.

Nuñez told France 2 channel that security forces would be able to use stun grenades in the event of "extremely serious violence in cities," after their use had previously been suspended following one causing the amputation of a 15-year-old boy's hand.

A senior official at the Ministry of Interior told AFP, asking not to be identified, that "disturbances are expected, especially in demonstrations in Paris and other major cities," warning of the risk of violence emanating from the "radical left movement."

In response, organizers of Saturday's protests created a website listing more than 600 planned demonstrations across France.

As part of preparations for potential violence, Paris police banned a major march in the city center, stating that it would only be possible to organize it in the east of the city.

The main demonstration was scheduled to start at 2:00 PM on Saturday from Place de la République towards northern Paris.

Nuñez told France 2 channel that security forces would be able to use stun grenades in the event of "extremely serious violence in cities," after their use had previously been suspended following one causing the amputation of a 15-year-old boy's hand.

A senior official at the Ministry of Interior told AFP, asking not to be identified, that "disturbances are expected, especially in demonstrations in Paris and other major cities," warning of the risk of violence emanating from the "radical left movement."