French PM vows 'massive' police deployment for new demonstrations

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lécornu said on Tuesday that the government will deploy a “massive” police presence for demonstrations planned for the coming weekend, after a wave of street violence shook the country on Saturday. The promise was made in Paris as authorities prepared for fresh protests that could draw thousands of participants. Lécornu’s announcement came amid growing criticism of how the police handled the riots that erupted in several cities, leaving dozens injured and dozens of arrests.

The riots on Saturday were among the worst the euro‑zone’s second‑largest economy has seen in recent years. They broke out after a series of contentious police checks in suburban neighborhoods, quickly spreading to city centres and targeting shops, cars and public transport. The unrest has intensified political pressure on the government, which is already facing a volatile climate six months before voters head to the polls to choose President Emmanuel Macron’s successor. Opposition parties and civil‑rights groups have accused the administration of both heavy‑handed policing and a failure to address underlying social grievances.

Lécornu pledged to station thousands of officers at key protest routes, increase mobile units and use surveillance drones to monitor crowds. Police unions welcomed the move, saying it would restore order and protect officers who felt “abandoned” during the previous clashes. Critics, however, warned that an overwhelming police presence could inflame tensions and provoke further violence. The interior ministry said it will also deploy medics and crowd‑control equipment, while urging demonstrators to remain peaceful. The weekend’s protests will test whether the heightened security can contain unrest ahead of the national election campaign, a moment that could shape France’s political future.