France fears riots. Mobilization of 70 thousand policemen, PSG and Lyon match postponed

The officers believe that organizing a meeting on a weekend during which further protests will take place is risky. Hence, an order was issued prohibiting the organization of the meeting on the weekend.

"LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel) takes note of the police order prohibiting the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday at 20:45 (19:45 GMT)... and has decided to postpone the match until Monday at 20:30," the French league said in a statement.

It is worth emphasizing that despite the tense atmosphere on French streets, Wednesday's Champions League match between PSG and Barcelona took place without any major security incidents.

Mobilization of 70,000 policemen

The size of the demonstrations that the French authorities expect is best demonstrated by their decisions. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that 70,000 people would be mobilized across the country on Saturday. policemen and gendarmes. It is on this day that the largest number of demonstrations is expected.

Nunez said there is a very high risk of public disorder. He added that due to last Saturday's events, local authorities will look at the gatherings very carefully and decide whether to allow them.

He assured that there were calls on social media from ultra-left groups to attack public buildings.

He announced that the forces of order would be "ruthless" against the perpetrators of vandalism and looting and would act very decisively. The forces mobilized on Saturday will include special units such as RAID (police forces) and GIGN (gendarmerie), as well as helicopters and drones.

Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the authorities would only allow demonstrations organized by trade unions in the coming days. He emphasized that other gatherings reported by persons who are not authorized to do so will be prohibited. Today the French leader met again with the security council. Then, the head of state is to receive organizations of high school students who have been participating in protests since September, demanding better learning conditions. According to France24, due to the situation in the country, Macron also decided to postpone the visit to Senegal and Nigeria scheduled for the end of the month.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu will travel on Friday to Limoges, where the town hall was set on fire during the riots of October 17.

The march is to take place in Paris on Saturday. In Marseille and Lyon, the authorities banned demonstrations, but these decisions were appealed and administrative courts will rule on them on Friday.

Meanwhile, in Orleans, in central France, a congress of the far-right National Rally (RN) is to be held this weekend. Thousands of counter-demonstrators are expected to attend.