PARIS, Nov 5 — Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to march through French cities and public workers to strike on Thursday, in a fresh test for President Emmanuel Macron after weeks of unrest that have rattled his government and dominated the agenda five months ahead of a presidential election.
The mobilisation, called by trade unions including the left-wing CGT and backed by student groups, follows demonstrations over living costs, public services, and education that triggered the worst civil unrest France has seen in years.
Authorities have sought to lower tensions after riots and looting on October 17 caught security forces off guard, leaving damaged shops and public buildings across the country and fuelling criticism of Macron's handling of the crisis.
"We are extremely vigilant because it is out of the question to relive October 17," government spokesman Maud Bregeon said during a media conference after Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.
BFM TV reported that the French authorities will deploy around 70,000 police nationwide. The domestic intelligence service expects between 500,000 and 700,000 people to join demonstrations outside Paris.
The Education Ministry said 17.5 per cent of public primary school teachers were expected to strike, while unions warned of likely disruptions to rail and public transport services.
Among those expected to join Thursday's marches are students who say school conditions and growing uncertainty about their future remain major concerns.
"We are trying to keep mobilising as much as possible. Some people are not doing so because they are afraid.
"A lot of people are afraid of police violence," said Irma de Banville, a 19-year-old student in Paris.
The French government has defended police tactics while saying it would investigate any abuses.
'Get the river back into its bed'
Macron convened a defence and security meeting on Wednesday ahead of the protests, underlining how a movement that began with student anger over deteriorating school conditions and concerns about opportunities for young people has evolved into a broader challenge to his government.
"The goal in the coming weeks is to get the river that overflowed back into its bed and to launch the presidential election in the calmest possible conditions," an official close to Macron said, pointing to the lower number of high schools blockaded this week compared with earlier in the crisis.
Nationwide protests last Saturday were generally peaceful, with some clashes on the fringes. Even so, the political atmosphere remains tense, with candidates manoeuvring ahead of the election and opposition parties seeking to capitalise on public frustration over living standards and government policy.
State-owned utility EDF said that French power unions are expected to join Thursday's strike. A previous power sector strike in mid-September reduced electricity supply in the country and cut delivery capacity at France's biggest liquefied natural gas terminal Dunkirk LNG.
