70,000 French officers ready as 150,000 Germans plan protests

French authorities will deploy 70,000 police officers nationwide for the upcoming weekend.

The move aims to manage potential unrest in cities including Paris, where more than 40 metro stations are scheduled to close.

German organizers report that approximately 150,000 people have registered to protest in about 30 cities on Saturday.

Major urban centers such as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Cologne will host these demonstrations, which coincide with Halloween festivities.

In France, police are preparing for a third consecutive weekend of youth-led protests. Officials stated that face-covering masks will not be allowed at the demonstrations.

The interior minister warned of a very high risk of disorder over the weekend. This follows widespread unrest two weeks ago when demonstrations descended into looting and riots.

Since that initial outbreak, French authorities have tightened controls on violent protests. Last weekend saw further demonstrations and intermittent clashes with police across the country.

In Germany, the movement is led by a group called GenZ regelt!, which translates to Gen Z has got this!. Participants cite high living costs, poorly maintained schools, and government spending cuts as primary grievances.

Police in Germany plan to deploy thousands of additional officers to handle the crowds. Some luxury jewelry and clothing stores have boarded up windows to protect against potential violence.

A wave of similar youth-led protests has swept across Europe in recent weeks. Protesters in both countries complain about rising prices, declining educational facilities, and a lack of future prospects.

Alain Di Crescenzo, president of France’s Chamber of Commerce, told broadcaster France Inter that businesses are worried. He noted that shopkeepers cannot wait for Saturday to be over.

Di Crescenzo added that Halloween is not helping matters because many attendees will be wearing masks. This makes it harder for businesses and police to identify individuals involved in any disturbances.