France braces for 200,000 protesters as its prime minister decries violence

“That no longer looks like a high school movement; now we have a movement of urban violence.”

— Sébastien Lecornu, French prime minister

Lecornu pointed to mortar fire in high schools and intrusions, after a month of students blocking schools. He blamed violent far-left groups that join the end of marches.

Across France

Authorities expect about 200,000 people across France this Saturday, including students, yellow vests, climate activists and unionists, against the high cost of living. Police expect about 40,000 in Paris.

Saturday's security plan

• About 500 actions planned across France
• No marches near the presidency or the National Assembly
• Stun grenades allowed for extremely serious violence

The office of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez counts about 500 planned actions and expects unrest. Marches will be banned near sensitive sites in Paris, and stun grenades may be used in case of extremely serious violence.

Substitute teachers assigned, of 3,000 promised

2,000 teachers

The government's only concrete answer so far is an emergency plan for absent teachers: 2,000 of the 3,000 promised substitutes have been assigned, the Education Ministry says.

Why it matters

The protests come six months before France's presidential election, with fuel prices soaring and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen leading the polls.