Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets across France on Thursday as nationwide strikes and protests put fresh pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, with authorities seeking to prevent a repeat of October's violent unrest.
Trade unions, including the left-wing CGT, have called for nationwide demonstrations, with student groups also backing the mobilisation. The protests follow weeks of anger over rising living costs, public services and education, which have sparked some of France's worst civil unrest in years.
The government is working to ease tensions after riots and looting on 17 October caught security forces off guard. Shops and public buildings were damaged across the country, prompting criticism of Macron's response to the unrest.
“We are extremely vigilant because it is out of the question to relive October 17,” government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said following Wednesday's cabinet meeting.
Around 70,000 police officers are expected to be deployed nationwide, according to news outlet BFM TV. France's domestic intelligence service estimates that between 500,000 and 700,000 demonstrators could take part in protests outside Paris.
The Education Ministry said 17.5 per cent of public primary school teachers were expected to join the strike, while trade unions warned of possible disruptions to rail services and public transport.
Students are also expected to participate, citing deteriorating school conditions and uncertainty about their future.
“We're trying to keep mobilising as much as possible. Some people aren't doing so because they're afraid. A lot of people are afraid of police violence,” said Irma de Banville, a 19-year-old student in Paris.
The French government has defended the actions of police officers during previous demonstrations but said any allegations of misconduct would be investigated.
Macron held a defence and security meeting on Wednesday as authorities prepared for another day of nationwide demonstrations.
What began as student protests over worsening school conditions and concerns about future opportunities has since grown into a wider movement challenging his government.
“The goal in the coming weeks is to get the river that overflowed back into its bed and to launch the presidential election in the calmest possible conditions,” an official close to Macron said.
The official also pointed to a decline in the number of high schools blockaded this week compared with earlier stages of the unrest.
Last Saturday's nationwide demonstrations were largely peaceful, although some clashes broke out on the sidelines.
Political tensions remain high as candidates prepare for the presidential election, now five months away. Opposition parties are seeking to capitalise on public dissatisfaction over living standards and government policies.
Workers in France's power sector are also expected to participate in Thursday's strike, according to state-owned electricity company EDF.
The planned action raises concerns about possible disruptions to energy supplies.
A previous strike by power sector workers in mid-September reduced electricity supply across France and limited delivery capacity at Dunkirk LNG, the country's largest liquefied natural gas terminal.
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