French PM to meet unions as government prepares for more protests

Paris: Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu intends to convene a meeting with representatives from five unions on Wednesday to address security concerns and guarantee the right to protest. Recent violent riots, which have caused curfews and arrests, have led the French government to prepare for more protests. The unrest, centered around increasing living expenses, is set to escalate with demonstrations planned for Saturday by the Yellow Vest movement and high school students, as well as another by labour unions on November 5.

Lecornu acknowledged the shortcomings in the security response during the past week's riots and assured a more robust approach ahead of the upcoming protests. Massive police deployment is expected for the Saturday demonstrations. French authorities have implemented partial curfews in Paris and other cities, and further curfews are anticipated if necessary.

Lawmakers across the political spectrum have expressed concerns over the unrest, with far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen claiming it as a wake-up call that exposed a profound crisis of authority. Recent polls suggest Le Pen leading in first-round presidential voting intentions, while far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon is the strongest contender for the runoff.

The government's handling of the crisis has come under scrutiny, with a parliamentary inquiry planned to investigate possible intelligence failures, policing tactics, and the government's preparedness. Investors have been selling off French debt due to rising doubts about the government's ability to curb spending. Nearly 150 individuals have been jailed, and over 800 have been brought before the courts, according to the justice minister.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had offered to resign due to perceived police control issues, but the offer was rejected. Nunez was scheduled to attend the union meeting on Wednesday. The unrest has also prompted travel advisories from countries like the United States, China, and Germany for their citizens in France.