France faces more protests as Macron tries to prevent civil unrest

France is bracing for widespread protests on Thursday, as public workers embark on a strike to voice concerns over living costs, public services, and education. This latest wave of demonstrations follows months of unrest that has placed President Emmanuel Macron in a difficult position, with the unrest reaching its peak in years and casting a shadow over the upcoming presidential election five months away. On Wednesday, Macron convened a defense and security meeting to address the potential for civil disorder.

France's main public and private-sector unions are mobilizing workers nationwide, uniting various grievances, including those of the Yellow Vest movement and students who have been protesting since September. The unrest escalated on October 17, when riots and looting caught authorities off guard, resulting in damaged infrastructure and criticism of Macron's management of the crisis.

Authorities plan to deploy approximately 70,000 police officers to maintain order, with the domestic intelligence service predicting between 500,000 and 700,000 participants in demonstrations outside Paris.

Schools will be among the hardest hit by the strike, with 17.5% of public primary school teachers expected to walk off the job. Unions have warned of potential disruptions to rail and public transport services, which have already contributed to a reduction in France's nuclear output by 2.4 gigawatts early Thursday. Train operator SNCF anticipates disruptions on local and regional lines, as well as some impacts on high-speed traffic.

Most of the Paris metro system is expected to remain operational, although dockworkers have also joined the strike.

With just six months until the presidential election, Macron's opponents are seizing the opportunity to highlight their agendas and channel public discontent to strengthen their political positions. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has emphasized law and order in her campaign, while Jean-Luc Melenchon, the far-left leader, has focused on social issues and police violence. Macron, meanwhile, has largely blamed rising energy prices, social media, and the "ultra-left" for igniting the violence.