Kathmandu. After the worst urban violence in years erupted during last week’s demonstrations, France is going to deploy around 70,000 security personnel across the country to control the demonstrations and clashes that may occur this weekend.
Demonstrations started by secondary level students expressing dissatisfaction with the school environment and educational conditions became nationwide. The situation has become more tense as the general public’s dissatisfaction with rising inflation and the cost of living has been added to the movement.
At a press conference held in Paris, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez informed that about 70,000 security personnel will be mobilized on Saturday. He said messages inciting violence and looting are spreading through social media and urged people to be aware of possible unrest.
The demonstration has intensified when President Emmanuel Macron’s term is coming to an end and there are only 6 months left for new elections. A recent poll showed far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the lead in the presidential race. It is estimated that the recent developments have strengthened his political situation.
Meanwhile, Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party is holding a convention in the city of Orleans this weekend. Thousands of supporters are expected to participate in the event. The local administration is worried about a possible clash as groups protesting against the party are also preparing to gather in the same city.
On Friday, President Macron had a discussion with secondary school student representatives. However, after the meeting, the student representatives have called on their classmates to continue the protest until the government comes up with a concrete proposal to address the demand.
Imprisonment for the guilty
The Macron government has said that the legitimate demands of the protesters and the incidents of looting, arson and vandalism that happened last Saturday should be looked at separately.
According to Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, the court sent 217 people to prison in cases related to last Saturday’s violence. About half of them are first-time offenders.
On Thursday, President Macron called for tough action against criminal activities. He also accused the ultra-left groups of trying to topple the Republic itself last weekend.
An extreme left-wing group active in the western region of France called on its supporters to avoid police encirclement and to behave unpredictably.
Ban on demonstrations, tight security
Authorities have tightened security and banned demonstrations in various cities to contain potential violence. It is expected that 20,000 to 30,000 people will take to the streets against the National Rally Party in Orleans. However, the local administration said that the protesters will not be allowed to gather in the city center.
In the southeastern city of Lyon, protesters will also be barred from entering the main urban area this weekend. In Paris, the police revoked the permission for the route between the Bastille and the National Chowk, which had previously been approved for the demonstration led by the labor organizations. The police said that instead, a procession can be taken out in the afternoon through the southeast edge of the city.
However, the labor organizations have taken a stand to proceed through the route where the approval has been revoked, saying that there is a security risk in the alternative route. Demonstrations were also banned in the southern city of Marseille. However, on Friday, the authorities decided to allow a demonstration organized by a labor organization based on special circumstances. This is the only demonstration approved in the southern Bouches-du-Rhône department.
Keeping in mind the security arrangements, major museums including the Louvre in Paris will remain closed on Saturday. The duration of the Art Basel art fair has also been shortened.
Criticism of control over performance
Human rights organizations have criticized the government’s move, including a complete ban on demonstrations in various cities. Amnesty International has condemned these moves as tending towards dictatorial practices. According to the organization, such restrictions could jeopardize the right of citizens to demonstrate peacefully.
After last week’s violence, questions have also been raised about police preparedness, intelligence gathering and crowd control ability. Human Rights Watch Senior Europe Researcher Eva Kosse said that it is the responsibility of the police to ensure a peaceful demonstration environment and to protect civilians from violent incidents.
He also expressed concern over reports of children being seriously injured due to the weapons used during crowd control during the recent demonstrations.
Le Pen’s chances in the election are strong
The violence during the demonstration has also affected the international image of France. The upcoming elections are seen as a turning point in the modern history of the country. Along with this, the increasing debt load of the government has also increased the concern of investors.
According to a poll conducted by Harris Interactive for M6/RTL after the violence, Marine Le Pen is expected to win 33 to 35 percent of the vote in the first round of the presidential election.
The survey showed that the far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon could become Le Pen’s opponent in the second round of the competition. In that case, the survey estimates that Le Pen can easily win with about 70 percent of the votes.
The upcoming elections in France are expected to have a significant impact on the political direction of the country amid nationwide demonstrations, debates on security arrangements and political polarization. RSS/AFP