France Enhances Security Ahead of Nationwide Protests

On October 24, French security forces were deployed across Paris in anticipation of protests against the rising cost of living, which authorities fear may escalate into violence. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez emphasized the need for police to be highly responsive to potential troublemakers and looters.

To ensure safety, soldiers from an anti-terrorism unit patrolled key areas such as the Champs-Elysees, while police vans monitored the Arc de Triomphe. A total of 70,000 police officers were mobilized for the demonstrations, an increase from the previous week when vandalism and looting raised concerns about public order.

In response to the unrest, many shopkeepers boarded up their stores, and several cultural institutions, including the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, closed for the day. The main demonstration route in Paris was altered by police to mitigate risks, leading to frustration among some protest organizers. Meanwhile, protests were authorized in other cities, including Orleans, where a march was held against the far-right National Rally.