
France is preparing for a heated Saturday of protests, as authorities warn of a "very high risk of public order disruption."
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the mobilization of around 70,000 police and gendarmerie forces in Paris and the country's main cities.
The new calls for demonstrations come from the "Yellow Vest" movement and student groups, who are protesting against rising living costs, social inequality and allegations of police brutality during the violent clashes of October 17.
Authorities have banned any gatherings in city centers, as well as gatherings organized on social media for Halloween night under calls for "revolution."
Nuñez declared that the state's response will be "extremely strict" and that no act of vandalism or looting will be tolerated.
The escalation of social tensions comes at a very delicate political moment for France, just six months before the presidential election.
Protests in Germany too
Young people in cities across Germany plan to take to the streets on Saturday, October 31, in protests called by an online initiative called "Gen Z regelt," which says rallies are planned in 28 cities.
The initiative published an open letter to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, accusing the government of endangering the future of young people. The initiative calls for the abolition of military service and sustainable climate protection.
Its signatories include Left Party parliamentary leader Heidi Reichinnek, Green MP Ricarda Lang and musician Bela B. Police have said there will be a strong presence on Saturday.
The national conference of schoolchildren is currently planning its own demonstration in Berlin and is distancing itself from the “Gen Z regime.” A rally at the Brandenburg Gate and a march from Rosenthaler Platz are expected. Around 1,500 police officers will be on duty.
Following the unrest during youth protests in France, Germany's police and domestic intelligence service are closely monitoring. Federal authorities say they have so far seen no concrete calls for violence.
Protests have been called in Frankfurt, Hanover, Göttingen, Munich and Hamburg. The “Generation Z” movement says it wants a better education system, less social inequality, more money for schools, addiction services and psychotherapy, and an affordable life while opposing military conscription.
Mobilization is taking place mainly via TikTok, Instagram and Telegram. According to Tagesspiegel, the federal police are turning back people who try to enter Germany to violently participate in rallies.