French minister says Halloween protests could turn violent

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned on Monday that next weekend's Halloween protests could escalate into violent unrest, despite a massive security operation that successfully quelled nationwide demonstrations on Saturday. The protests, which have been a source of concern for President Emmanuel Macron's government for weeks, appear to have lost momentum after violent clashes nine days ago in numerous cities, raising doubts about the government's ability to maintain control on the streets.

In response to the recent turmoil, the Interior Ministry deployed 70,000 police officers for Saturday's demonstrations, which were called by unions to protest the high cost of living and deteriorating public services. The movement has expanded beyond its initial origins as a student-led movement, now involving trade unions and yellow vest activists, known for their distinctive jackets and large-scale protests against economic pressures, including rising fuel costs.

Nunez stated that the extensive police presence had prevented a recurrence of the violence witnessed earlier this month. When asked by BFM TV if he anticipated further disturbances during demonstrations planned for October, Nunez expressed no specific predictions.