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Live: France braces for nationwide strikes in fresh test for Macron’s policies
French authorities are preparing for nationwide demonstrations, a fresh test of President Emmanuel Macron’s policies and his government’s handling of mounting public discontent. Officials are seeking to prevent a repeat of riots and looting on 17 October, which damaged shops and public buildings and drew criticism of the government.
About 70,000 police have been deployed across the country, while domestic intelligence estimates that 500,000 to 700,000 people may demonstrate outside Paris. Macron held a defence and security meeting ahead of the protests. The movement began with student concerns about worsening school conditions and young people’s prospects, then broadened into a wider challenge to his government.
In short
- France is preparing for large nationwide demonstrations.
- Around 70,000 police have been deployed.
- A student movement has become a wider challenge to Macron.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of the protests argue that demonstrations are a legitimate way to press the government to address worsening school conditions, young people’s prospects and broader public discontent. They may see the scale of the mobilisation as evidence that these concerns require a serious political response.
The case against
Those concerned about the protests argue that renewed unrest could endanger the public and repeat the damage to shops and public buildings seen on 17 October. They may support the government’s large police deployment as a measure to protect people and property while allowing demonstrations to proceed peacefully.
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