France to deploy 70,000 cops as students call for further protests

France plans to deploy 70,000 police nationwide as it anticipates fresh protests this weekend following recent urban violence, according to government officials. President Emmanuel Macron, who is postponing a visit to Nigeria and Senegal due to the crisis, held a meeting with his defense council and security forces, as well as representatives of secondary school students who called for continued protests until concrete solutions to their demands are addressed.

The protests, triggered by dissatisfaction with learning conditions, have expanded nationwide and are fueled by broader concerns over the rising cost of living. Security personnel will be increased to 70,000 on Saturday, with interior minister Laurent Nunez warning of circulating calls for violence and looting on social media. The student movement, led by Nathanael Combary, president of High School Renewal, expressed dissatisfaction but awaited proposals from the government and prime minister on Monday.

The protests have come at a crucial time for France, six months before elections, with a recent poll indicating far-right candidate Marine Le Pen as the frontrunner, thanks in part to the latest events. Le Pen is scheduled to host her National Rally party congress in Orleans on Saturday, with local authorities expecting thousands of supporters and fearing potential clashes with counter-protesters.

In response to the violence, courts have sent 217 people, mostly first-time offenders, to prison. Macron called for 'the utmost severity' against acts of delinquency, accusing ultra-left groups of attempting to undermine the republic. Authorities in various cities imposed restrictions on protests, including bans on demonstrations in the city centers of Orleans, Lyon, and Paris, though a union-organized demonstration was allowed in Marseille on an exceptional basis.

Amnesty International condemned the government's measures, calling them a 'slide toward authoritarian practice' that threatens the right to peaceful protest. The restrictions have drawn criticism, with concerns over police preparedness and intelligence gathering leading to a 20% increase in security forces' deployment for this weekend.

The violent protests have tarnished France's image ahead of the crucial elections, and polls show Le Pen with a significant lead, potentially facing hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon in the run-off.