France deploys 70,000 police to manage anti-government protests against Macron's reforms

France will mobilise about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes on Saturday as up to 60 anti‑government marches are scheduled across the country, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced. The biggest rally will start at 1 p.m. in Paris from Place de la République, then march to Place de la Nation via the Bastille. Police have been put on high alert for possible clashes and disruptions to transport. The large deployment signals the government’s concern about public order.

The protests are a response to President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, which raises the retirement age from 62 to 64 and adds a points‑based system. The plan was passed in early 2024 despite months of strikes by teachers, transport workers and public‑sector employees. A new security law, passed in July, also fuels anger because it expands police powers to curb demonstrations. Last year’s nationwide walkouts showed how deeply the reforms divide French society, and officials fear a fresh wave of unrest could spread beyond the capital.

Nuñez said the police force will be spread across all regions, with the highest concentration in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Lille. He expects crowds of several thousand in each city, but warned that a minority could turn violent. Union leaders have called the mobilisation “an intimidation tactic” and urged participants to remain peaceful. Public‑transport operators have already warned of possible delays and cancellations, especially on the metro lines that run through the protest route. So far, no arrests have been reported, but authorities have prepared detention facilities for any detentions that may occur.

The government will monitor the protests closely and may adjust police numbers if the situation escalates. If clashes break out, courts could fast‑track cases under the new security law, raising concerns about civil liberties. The outcome will likely influence the next round of parliamentary debates on the pension bill and could affect Macron’s standing ahead of the 2027 elections. For now, French citizens are watching how the state balances security with the right to demonstrate.