Trouble brewing in Paris? Yellow Vests join students for Saturday showdown

PARIS: France’s student protest movement is set to be joined by the Yellow Vest movement, with a major rally announced in Paris for Saturday, October 24. Student demonstrations are also expected that day, raising the prospect of renewed unrest in the French capital before the damage caused by last Saturday’s protests has been fully addressed.

The Yellow Vest movement rose to prominence eight years ago, when its members took to the streets to protest rising prices, including fuel costs, putting considerable pressure on the authorities. Its planned mobilisation alongside the students could add to the scale of Saturday’s demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the French government is attempting to contain the unrest by imposing partial curfews in Paris and other cities. Restrictions also target people under the age of 18, including measures barring minors from going out alone without their parents or guardians. Paris, Marseille and Lyon have witnessed violence on the fringes of the protests, with shops damaged and looted.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has said extensive security arrangements will be put in place ahead of Saturday’s rallies. The announcement comes after an arson attack devastated the town hall in Limoges during last Saturday’s unrest. Police arrested a man on Tuesday in connection with the incident. His alleged role in the fire remains subject to investigation.

Meanwhile, major trade unions in France have called for nationwide protests on November 5. Union leaders met Lecornu on Wednesday to discuss the situation, while student leaders are also expected to be invited for talks.