French PM vows ‘massive’ police deployment for new demonstrations

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu pledged a "massive" police presence for upcoming protests, as recent street violence has raised concerns about the handling of the situation. The unrest, which erupted during nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living, resulted in the destruction of government buildings, shops, and public infrastructure.

Lecornu admitted that the security response had fallen short and stated that the deployment would be extensive for the next Saturday's protests. Several countries, including the US, China, and Germany, issued travel advisories for their citizens in France, following images of clashes and looting.

Paris authorities imposed a temporary ban on carrying cans or bottles of petrol or gas in response to the rioting, while Paris police ordered a curfew in the city's Place de la Republique, one of the main sites of unrest. The unrest was triggered by a demonstration of around half a million people in France, protesting the high cost of living.

The unrest has exposed a "profound crisis of authority" according to far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, and has led to the arrest of individuals connected to the ultra-left radical groups.