France braces for protests as Yellow Vests urge 'mass disobedience'

President Emmanuel Macron's government braces for protests as the Yellow Vests movement calls for mass disobedience in central Paris. French unions and student groups have scheduled authorized marches against the high cost of living, while the Yellow Vests plan a separate rally despite a ban by authorities. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned that 70,000 police officers and security forces will be deployed nationwide, ready to respond to any disruptive behavior.

The protests, largely peaceful so far, have occasionally seen clashes with police or vandalism, with the Oct 17 demonstrations marking France's worst rioting in years. The Yellow Vests movement, which emerged eight years ago, is urging its rally to proceed, calling for mass disobedience. Authorities are determined to avoid a repeat of the Oct 17 events, although Thursday's protests resulted in 642 arrests.

The government is seeking responses to protesters' demands, including wage increases, tax reforms, and better learning conditions for young people, as it approaches the end of its presidential term in May 2027.