Gearing up for new protests – 70,000 police are called in

Extensive demonstrations are expected in several parts of Europe on Saturday.

In France, authorities are preparing for a third weekend of major protests. The risk of new unrest is considered high - and around 70,000 police and gendarmes have been called in around the country, reports Reuters.

- All resources are mobilized to ensure a very powerful response to any unrest, says French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, according to the news agency.

Last weekend, over 400,000 people took part in the protests, according to the authorities. What began among students has grown and now includes, among other things, trade unions and activists from the Yellow Vests.

The dissatisfaction concerns, among other things, rising living costs, public services and the government's economic policy. But in connection with previous demonstrations, there has been looting, vandalism and clashes with the police, which have drawn a lot of attention.

Gen Z protests in Germany

Extensive mobilization is also expected in Germany on Saturday, when over 160,000 people are expected to take part in protests in over 30 cities, reports Reuters. Including in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich.

Behind the German protests is the youth initiative "Gen Z regelt", Generation Z is taking over. The movement demands, among other things, greater investments in education, measures against high living costs and that one opposes mandatory military service, reports Reuters.

- We have had enough and have jointly decided to demonstrate on October 31. We will continue to use our freedom of assembly until they stop ignoring us, says a representative of the movement to the German Tagesschau.

In Portugal, at the same time, the protests against the housing crisis in the country continue. In the capital Lisbon, a march through central parts of the city is planned for Saturday. There, the demonstrations in recent weeks have been about criticism of high housing costs and rising living costs.