France braces for fifth consecutive weekend of protests

France is preparing for another wave of demonstrations on Saturday as protesters express anger over rising living costs, police violence and a controversial new police bill.

The European Union’s second-largest economy has witnessed more than a month of protests, including high-school blockades and cost-of-living demonstrations. The unrest comes ahead of next year’s presidential election, which the far-right sees as an opportunity to gain power.

Although most demonstrations have remained peaceful, some have been marked by violence and allegations of police brutality.

Saturday’s demonstrations will mark the fifth consecutive weekend of protests. The main rally in Paris is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (1200 GMT), with dozens of other gatherings planned across the country.

In Paris, the Yellow Vest movement is expected to join high-school students, trade unions and activists campaigning for children’s rights and opposing legislation that would provide greater legal protection to police officers when using their weapons.

“Society is in bad shape,” said Claire Bourdille, a member of a collective campaigning against violence towards children and teenagers. She argued that multiple social issues needed attention rather than focusing on a single cause.

Activists have also been demanding stronger safeguards for children against sexual abuse.

Another major focus of Saturday’s protests is a proposed bill that would grant police officers who use their weapons a presumption of legitimate self-defence.

Supporters of the legislation, including Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party, argue that it would prevent officers from automatically facing suspicion of using excessive force.

Critics call it a ‘licence to kill’

Opponents have condemned the proposed legislation as a “licence to kill”, arguing that it would make it even more difficult to hold police officers accountable for alleged abuses.

The bill has already been approved by the lower house of parliament and is due to be considered by the Senate.

In recent weeks, lawyers have raised concerns about alleged police violence during demonstrations, citing serious injuries including damage to protesters’ hands, feet and eyes.

Karl Ghazi of the CGT trade union said Saturday’s demonstration could be different because protesters were experiencing considerable fatigue after nearly six weeks of unrest.

He suggested that the rally would largely bring together two groups: campaigners for children’s rights and activists opposing what they describe as a police “licence to kill”.

Around 146,000 people participated in demonstrations across France last Saturday, according to official figures, significantly fewer than during earlier weekends.

The biggest demonstrations in recent weeks took place during a nationwide union-led strike on Thursday last week, when more than 500,000 people reportedly took to the streets.

Trade unions have also announced another nationwide strike for Tuesday after rejecting the government’s proposed 0.6 per cent increase in the minimum wage, describing the offer as mere “crumbs”.