France on alert as 70,000 police mobilised for Halloween protests

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned on October 29 that protests planned for Halloween in France present a "very high risk" of public disorder. He announced the deployment of 70,000 security forces, including armored vehicles and water cannons, to maintain order across the country. The previous weekend's demonstrations led to the arrest of 1,435 people nationwide, with organized far-right gangs confronting far-left activists in several cities. President Emmanuel Macron had earlier cautioned that October 31 could turn "risky," urging protesters to remain outside city centers to protect public order. These measures reflect ongoing tensions over rising living costs and inequality, which sparked widespread protests since mid-September starting from a school strike in Paris’ suburbs due to teacher shortages and deteriorating conditions.