French Government Spends Millions on 70,000 Officers as Protests Return

French shop owners are boarding up windows and closing stores on Saturday as the government deploys 70,000 police officers to manage new nationwide protests. The security effort comes one week after demonstrations resulted in looted businesses and burned vehicles. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that up to 70,000 officers will be active across the country, supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons.

The state is shouldering the cost of this extensive deployment to protect commerce and public infrastructure. In central Paris, dozens of gendarmes were positioned beneath the Arc de Triomphe and along surrounding avenues on Friday. Police altered the planned demonstration route in the capital. The march will now be restricted to the city's southeastern edge, moving between Porte d'Italie and Porte de Vincennes. This replaces the original planned path from Bastille to Nation.

Last week's protests attracted more than 500,000 participants. Another large crowd is expected this weekend. The movement began last month over staff shortages at a high school southeast of Paris but has expanded to include broader economic demands. Students are requesting more teachers, improved school buildings, and additional university spots. Labor unions are seeking higher wages and pension reforms to help households manage rising living costs.

Student organizations have released a joint ten point plan. The proposal calls for 250,000 new places in higher education and the end of the Parcoursup admissions selection process. The plan also requests a monthly student grant increase of 200 euros, or about 313 Canadian dollars, and a rent freeze in public student housing. These specific figures outline the financial commitments the students are demanding from the state.

Businesses in Paris are adjusting their operations to mitigate potential damage. The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Picasso Museum, and Grand Palais are closed for the day. The Grand Palais is currently hosting a major Cézanne exhibit. Art Basel opened its doors to the public for a single day on Friday but cancelled its weekend program due to the threat of unrest. Approximately 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted during the previous weekend's demonstrations.

Akram Ahmed, a 34 year old contractor, was securing an optician's shop near Saint Lazare station on Friday. Ahmed stated that he received a call the previous night from the owner. The owner told him the work was necessary to save the business and his life. Local authorities have banned marches in several cities, including Lyon, Nice, and Montpellier. Protests are still scheduled in Paris and Marseille. Trade unions have criticized these bans as violations of constitutional freedom of expression.

French media reported that police used tear gas in Lyon on Saturday morning. Outside the capital, the physical damage from last week's unrest has led to legal proceedings. Two suspects involved in a fire that nearly destroyed the 19th century city hall in Limoges were placed under formal investigation. They are being held pending trial, with the probe including attempted murder of a public official. Paris police prefect Patrice Faure advised shopkeepers to hire security guards. He later clarified that protecting businesses remains a government responsibility.

President Emmanuel Macron faces this crisis in the final stretch of his term. His popularity is at its lowest point since taking office in 2017. Macron has stated that the security measures are necessary to protect city centers, businesses, and public buildings. In Orléans, located about 110 kilometers south of Paris, thousands gathered for an anti far right protest. This event coincided with a two day congress of Marine Le Pen's nationalist party, held ahead of next spring's presidential election. Victoria Ambrosini, an art critic and teacher at Saint Denis University, described the current economic situation as money being concentrated in the hands of very few people. She added that it is not possible anymore.