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Between 500,000 and 700,000 people are expected to join demonstrations across France on Thursday, which authorities have classified as high-risk, Anadolu Agency reported, citing broadcaster BFMTV on Wednesday.
A territorial intelligence report dated Nov. 3 warned that the protests could mark a “new threshold” in violence, particularly in city centers. It linked the growing mobilization to repeated calls by labor unions, later joined by young people who took part in recent high school protests.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez instructed regional prefects to take measures to prevent unrest and respond to potential disturbances.
Security forces will be deployed in what authorities described as a “powerful,” “responsive” and “agile” operation, including the use of drones. Authorities have also restricted the carrying of weapons, protective equipment and pyrotechnic devices.
Police will carry out checks along transport routes, including at railway stations. Officers have been authorized to intervene systematically in cases of attacks on people or property.
Nunez also recommended that prefects avoid routes for demonstrations that pass through city centers.
Student protests fuel nationwide mobilization
The planned demonstrations follow days of student protests and school blockades across France.
Thousands of high school and university students gathered on Tuesday in Lyon, Marseille, Paris, Bordeaux and Rennes, despite demonstration bans in some areas.
Student and youth organizations have called for protests to continue, while labor unions and the “Yellow Vest” movement are preparing for Thursday’s nationwide strikes and demonstrations.
Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou told lawmakers he hoped to make announcements around the mobilization aimed at restarting wage growth in France.
