Amid fears of a repeat of riots and looting, the French government is preparing for a new wave of protests on Saturday by tightening security measures and increasing the number of deployed forces, with the military being called in to secure facilities and considering additional restrictions on gatherings and curfews in several cities.

BFMTV reported that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's government intends to review its security plan after acknowledging that the deployment during the protests on October 17 was not mobile enough, allowing small groups to carry out acts of vandalism and surprise security forces.

Security reinforcements and rapid intervention equipment

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated before the National Assembly that authorities will increase the number of forces and enhance their ability to move and respond quickly, focusing on tracking mobile groups involved in violence.

The government is considering calling in personnel from the Republican Security Companies and utilizing reservists and police trainees in the final stages of training to increase the security presence, after approximately sixty thousand personnel participated in securing previous protests.

The plan includes strengthening rapid intervention units and crime and violence prevention, as well as employing helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons, alongside specialized units from the police and gendarmerie.

Securing facilities and curfews

As part of the redistribution of tasks, Nuñez announced the involvement of the military "Sentinelle" forces to guard buildings and facilities, which will allow more police and gendarmerie personnel to participate in managing the protests. He confirmed that the military's role would be limited to static security, without directly intervening in maintaining order within the demonstrations.

Partial curfews continue in cities including Paris, Lille, Lyon, and Nice, with restrictions on the movement of minors in other areas. Measures also include a ban on transporting fuel and flammable materials, as well as possessing certain protective equipment and fireworks near educational institutions.

Authorities are considering banning unannounced demonstrations if they pose a threat to public order, along with designating specific routes for protest movements.

Political dialogue amid accusations of repression

In parallel with security preparations, Lecornu will meet with labor union representatives to discuss securing marches and ensuring the freedom to protest, as well as listening to the demands of protesters. The "Confédération Française Démocratique du Travail" union warned against reducing dialogue to organizing protests or placing responsibility for acts of violence on participants.

In contrast, Benjamin Ball, coordinator of the "Yellow Vests" movement, described the situation as a "dangerous moment," criticizing what he sees as heightened security and repression of protests, while Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the "La France Insoumise" party, announced his participation in a political meeting called by Lecornu, criticizing the government's handling of the crisis.

The "Vandals Pay" bill

In a parallel legislative move, the Senate will begin discussing the "Vandals Pay" bill, which aims to hold individuals accountable for civil damages resulting from acts of vandalism during gatherings, potentially allowing for the accountability of members of a group that caused damage, even without proving that each of them directly committed the acts.

The government defends the bill as a tool for holding those responsible for losses accountable, while attention turns to the ability of security measures and political dialogue to contain tensions and prevent a resurgence of riots during upcoming protests.