PARIS, October 20. /TASS/. French authorities will deploy more police officers for the upcoming protests on October 24 than during the October 17 rallies, which escalated into unrest and looting, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday during a government question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.
"More rallies are ahead. The Minister of the Interior has already issued instructions to the prefectures. Significant forces will be deployed next Saturday," the prime minister stated.
He noted that the rioters' actions involved an unprecedented level of violence and were coordinated via digital tools. Lecornu pointed out that their methods differed from those seen during past protests and promised a thorough investigation into the weekend's events, including by a parliamentary committee.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, responding to questions from lawmakers, pledged to personally oversee security arrangements for the October 24 protests. "You can count on my determination. Rest assured, I will be extremely resolute," he said.
Over the weekend, mass rallies took place in Paris and across France against rising fuel prices and declining purchasing power. Organizers estimated turnout at 800,000 people, while the Interior Ministry reported 550,000 participants. In several cities, the protests escalated into clashes with police. According to Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, looters ransacked approximately 3,000 shops on October 17, and more than 2,500 people were detained.
