France is deploying 70,000 police officers nationwide this weekend to respond to large-scale protests that have been forecasted.

According to AFP, Bloomberg, and France 24, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated at a press conference on the 23rd (local time) that posts inciting violence and looting are already circulating on social media (SNS), warning that "there will be a harsh response to rioters and looters committing acts of violence."

Nuñez made these remarks following a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, and senior security officials.

He explained that elite special units typically deployed for counter-terrorism operations will help protect public facilities such as city halls, and that helicopters, drones, approximately 20 armored vehicles, and 15 water cannons will also be deployed.

"There will be absolute zero compromise," Nuñez emphasized, adding, "We will make decisive arrests and hold them legally responsible."

Thierry Clair, general secretary of the UNSA police union, told Bloomberg that large-scale police operations will unfold not only in Paris but across all of France, stating, "A significant number of officers have given up their rest days, and at least 75% of the police force will be mobilized."

Previously, President Macron stated that, to prevent a recurrence of violence, all protests other than those authorized by labor unions would be banned, and regional authorities have also issued protest bans.

In the southeastern city of Lyon, weekend protests have been banned, and marches in the capital, Paris, have been restricted to limited routes around the Place de la Bastille and eastern areas. Authorities in Marseille announced a blanket ban on protests the previous day, but stated they would exceptionally permit protests organized by authorized local labor unions.

This has drawn criticism from leftist forces, students, labor unions, and international human rights organizations alike.

Amnesty International criticized the move, saying, "It jeopardizes the right to peaceful protest and points toward authoritarian practices."

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise (LFI) and a presidential candidate, criticized, "Civil liberties cannot become a bargaining chip for a government in turmoil. Banning protests, picking and choosing who has the right to protest, and imposing curfews at the regional level are crossing the line separating authoritarianism and democracy one by one."

That afternoon, President Macron met directly with student representatives for the first time since student protests began to protest poor educational conditions, listening to their demands. French student protests have served as a catalyst for expanding into demonstrations protesting a lack of investment in the public sector and high inflation.

Nathanaël Combari, president of the student group "High School Renewal" (FIDL), assessed that President Macron showed a listening attitude, but stated that students are waiting for the government's proposals to emerge from a meeting with Prime Minister Lecornu on the 26th.

"We are not satisfied," Combari said, urging students to continue participating in the protests.

AFP reported that President Macron postponed plans to visit Nigeria and Senegal due to this crisis.

Stores in Paris and other areas are nailing wooden boards over doors and windows to prepare for potential damage and looting.

Alain Di Crescenzo, president of CCI France (Chamber of Commerce and Industry), said in an interview with Europe 1 radio that merchants are arming themselves with baseball bats, crowbars, and shotguns, adding, "I am extremely concerned (about violent clashes). That is not their job."

The National Rally (RN), the far-right party effectively led by leading next-year presidential contender Marine Le Pen, is holding its annual convention in Orléans this weekend.

As far-left groups and anti-racism organizations have announced they will hold counter-protests, the possibility of clashes remains high.

While 20,000 to 30,000 people are expected to gather for the anti-RN protests in Orléans, protests will be banned in the city center, a local prefect stated.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]