France braces for protests as Yellow Vests urge ‘mass disobedience’

France is preparing for a series of protests as the Yellow Vests movement urges "mass disobedience" and student groups call for a "massive march against the high cost of living." The demonstrations, which follow weeks of youth-led unrest and nationwide strikes, come less than six months before voters elect a new president to replace centrist President Emmanuel Macron.

Authorities have deployed 70,000 police officers and security forces across the country, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warning of a readiness to respond to any rioters or looters. Despite a ban by authorities, the Yellow Vests plan to hold a separate rally in central Paris, while unions and student groups have called for an authorized march in the same location, demanding an increase in the minimum wage, across-the-board wage raises, tax reforms, and better learning conditions for young people.

Brief written by urgent.news from Dawn's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.