France braces for nationwide strikes and protests as Macron seeks to avert fresh unrest

France anticipates mass protests on Thursday as President Emmanuel Macron attempts to pre-empt a repeat of the civil unrest witnessed in October. The demonstrations, organized by trade unions like the left-wing CGT and student groups, aim to prevent the government from facing another major crisis five months before a presidential election. The mobilisation, prompted by concerns over living costs, public services, and education, has already led to reduced nuclear output by 2.4 gigawatts on Thursday morning.

CGT leader Sophie Binet called for a strong turnout in the streets, urging citizens to join the protest. Authorities have prepared themselves by deploying approximately 70,000 police officers across the country, following the violent riots and looting that occurred on October 17. This incident strained security forces and resulted in damaged infrastructure throughout France, prompting criticism of President Macron's response to the crisis.

In addition to the planned nationwide strike, the Education Ministry expects around 17.5% of public primary school teachers to join the demonstrations. Unions have also warned of potential disruptions to rail and public transport services. The strike has significantly impacted France's nuclear output, with early estimates suggesting a reduction of 2.4 gigawatts.

Students are among those expected to participate in the Thursday marches, highlighting their main concerns about school conditions and the uncertain future for young people. A 19-year-old student in Paris, Irma de Banville, expressed fear of police violence, stating that many people are hesitant to join the protests due to safety concerns.

The French government has defended its handling of the police tactics employed during the protests, stating that any instances of abuse would be thoroughly investigated. President Macron convened a defence and security meeting on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to restore order and ensure a peaceful environment leading up to the presidential election.

The protests, which began as a response to deteriorating school conditions and concerns over opportunities for young people, have evolved into a broader challenge to the government's policies. Nationwide demonstrations on Saturday were generally peaceful, with isolated clashes on the fringes. Nevertheless, the political atmosphere remains tense, with candidates from various parties maneuvering ahead of the election and opposition groups seeking to capitalize on public frustration regarding living standards and government actions.

French power unions are also expected to join the strike on Thursday, as reported by state-owned utility EDF. A previous power sector strike in mid-September led to reduced electricity supply and disrupted operations at France's largest liquefied natural gas terminal in Dunkirk.