• Fresh protests: France is braced for yet another wave of protests this weekend with a major demonstration scheduled in Paris this afternoon local time.
• Security preparations: French authorities have launched a massive security operation with some 70,000 police officers set to be deployed across the country over the weekend, according to the interior ministry. Curfews have been put in place after violence and riots spread across the country last weekend, prompting criticism of the authorities.
• Discontent in the continent: France is not the only European country seeing angry anti-government protests. Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Albania have all seen unrest in recent weeks. While each country has its own problems, the poor state of the economy, rising cost of living and dissatisfaction with the governments’ responses are similar themes driving the protests.
Last weekend’s violence followed weeks of protests over education, dismal job prospects, and the cost of living. Initially peaceful and attended mostly by students, the demonstrations quickly turned into the worst wave of nationwide violence in years.
At least two people died and several others were seriously injured during last weekend’s widespread rioting, which has been estimated to have cost several hundred million dollars in property damage and theft.
French justice minister Gérald Darmanin said some 2,700 people were held for questioning and 232 have been incarcerated in connection to the riots.
France is not the only European country seeing angry anti-government protests.
Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Albania have all seen unrest in recent weeks. Each country has its own unique problems which sparked the protests, but the economy is a key factor in all of them.
In Albania, anti-corruption protests first erupted over a proposed luxury resort project from Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. In Italy, rising fuel prices first forced people into the streets while in Portugal, the issue of affordable housing was initially the main driver.
In Spain, the Ceuta migration crisis and the nationwide lack of affordable housing are among the main issues on the protesters’ minds.
However, there are similar themes driving discontent across the continent: the poor state of the economy, rising cost of living and dissatisfaction with the governments’ responses to the crisis.
The French capital has spent days preparing for today’s protest.
Public spaces have been cleared of equipment and materials that could be used to cause damage, including barriers, bins, construction material, and other items.
Many of the main tourist sites in the French capital, including world-famous museums like the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, will be closed on Saturday.
Art Basel finished the Paris version of its fair on Friday, two days earlier than scheduled. The Paris National Opera canceled its performances scheduled for today, and at least two dozen metro stations are closed for much of the day, according to Paris municipal authorities.
A huge security operation is under way in France today as authorities try to prevent the kind of violence that rocked the nation last weekend.
The interior ministry said 70,000 police officers would be deployed across the country over the weekend, with specialist SWAT units, helicopters, armored vehicles, police dogs and water cannons all part of the operation.
On top of that, the number of French army soldiers that normally patrol Paris as part of the country’s counter-terrorism measures will be increased to free the police from stationary guard duties.
Curfews have also been imposed in some cities to help maintain calm.
We’ll bring you the latest as we get it, stay with us.
