France is preparing for another weekend of protests, following the violent clashes of October 17, while President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the government will take all measures to avoid a repeat of the unrest.
According to Reuters and Le Monde, the "Yellow Vests" movement announced today, October 21, that it has submitted the official declaration for the organization of a new demonstration in Paris, on Saturday, October 24.
The march is planned to start from Bastille Square and end in the Opera area, with organizers demanding the resignation of President Macron, improved purchasing power, protection of public services and respect for the right to protest.
Student and trade union organizations are also expected to be involved in the mobilization.
President Macron, speaking from Doha, said he had asked the government to take measures to prevent a repeat of last weekend's scenes of violence.
He also rejected comments from several foreign leaders on the unrest in France, particularly criticizing statements by US President Donald Trump and claims linking the protests to immigration and Islamic extremism.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held meetings today with union representatives to discuss the security of future demonstrations and the social demands that have fueled the protests.
But one element has attracted the attention of the French media: representatives of high school students were not invited to the meeting, although the dissatisfaction of young people has been one of the main factors in the mobilizations.
According to Le Monde and the parliamentary television LCP, the meeting took place on the eve of new protests and the national strike announced by unions for November 5.
French authorities have imposed partial restrictions on movement at night in some areas, while security forces are preparing for an increased presence on the streets.
According to data reported by Reuters, around 2,500 people have been detained following the October 17 riots, while more than 900 have faced criminal proceedings.
Alongside the security measures, a political clash is also taking place in France over responsibility for the violence. The government has accused elements of the radical left of inciting the unrest, while the opposition has disputed these claims.
The President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, has taken the initiative for a parliamentary investigation into the management of the protests and the actions of the security forces.
With another demonstration announced for October 24 and a national strike on November 5, France remains facing a social and political crisis, where protesters' demands, security measures and accusations of police violence are dominating the public debate.
