Protests France, Macron: "Only demonstrations called by trade unions are authorized on Saturday"

The country is preparing for a new weekend of protests against high prices with a massive security device. Macron only authorizes trade union demonstrations, while police, gendarmerie and special units will be deployed in the main cities.

On Saturday 24 October "only demonstrations called by trade unions" will be authorised. This was announced by President Emmanuel Macron as the government prepares an impressive security device in view of the second weekend of mobilization against the high cost of living, after the serious unrest recorded in recent days.

Interviewed by Sud Radio, Deputy Interior Minister Jean-Didier Berger explained that the executive's objective is to mobilize all available resources so that the demonstrations take place without incidents. For the occasion, the elite units of the police and gendarmerie will also be used, including Raid, Gign and Bri, called to intervene in the most critical situations. "The objective is to mobilize all our forces", says Berger, guaranteeing that the police and the government will do everything to ensure that Saturday, which will see various mobilizations throughout the country, "takes place in the best possible way". The soldiers of the "Sentinels" operation will be deployed in fixed points, such as at the "embassies" while the elite units, such as the Raid (specialized police intervention unit), the Gign (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group) and the Bri (Search and Intervention Brigade, elite police unit), will intervene "in support", in the field "to manage the most delicate situations". In cities that have them, the municipal police will also contribute to the protection of public order.

According to Berger, the level of mobilization will be "20% higher" than last Saturday, confirming that the plan also includes the use of helicopters and armored vehicles.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, who returned from his trip to the Gulf countries, summoned "all the French information services" to the Elysée today, under accusation for not having been able to foresee the developments of last Saturday's mobilization, with the consequent serious incidents in the cities. Two days after "Act II" of this mobilization, when yellow vests and students will return to the streets with an even more delicate route than last Saturday, from the Bastille to the Opéra, in the heart of the capital, the strategy to maintain public order is at the center of the discussions. Around 3,000 traders saw their premises seriously damaged by attacks by people with their faces covered, who damaged, set fire and in most cases looted much of the goods inside. On the part of the category, there is strong concern and from the sector of trade in weapons and defense devices there is talk of a real rush by traders to purchase personal defense weapons and tools to protect their assets.