France to Deploy Troops Alongside Police After Weekend Riots

France will deploy soldiers to support police during protests planned for Saturday, expanding its security response after ministers conceded that intelligence gaps and flawed tactics had left major cities exposed to weekend rioting.

“The deployment next Saturday will be massive,” Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that troops would operate alongside police.

The announcement followed violence and looting in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other cities on October 17.

The government faces renewed demonstrations over the cost of living and public services, with student and Yellow Vest groups preparing further action.

Ministers Acknowledge Failures

Lecornu identified several weaknesses in the response: intelligence failures, police units that remained too static, and a decision to allow scheduled police leave to go ahead.

Nunez also accepted responsibility as ministers faced criticism over the vulnerability of city centers.

“I deeply regret what happened. I accept my share of responsibility,” he said.

Authorities said targeted curfews had helped bring a quieter night to affected areas.

Police extended the restrictions into Tuesday night, including measures applying to people under 18 in some locations.

Lecornu blamed far-left groups for the violence. Those groups have accused the government of failing to grasp the depth of anger over rising living costs and deteriorating public services.

New Demonstrations Planned

UNEF, France’s main student union, has called for protests on Saturday over what it describes as inadequate education funding and worsening conditions.

Groups using the Yellow Vest name have separately urged action against rising fuel costs.

The movement emerged in 2018 in opposition to planned petrol tax increases.

Months of road blockades forced concessions that would be harder for the government to finance amid its current budget pressures.

The unrest has intensified political tensions ahead of next year’s presidential election, with far-right and hard-left candidates polling strongly.

Investigators Pursue Suspects

Parliament is establishing an inquiry into the causes of the unrest. Authorities have assigned 200 investigators to identify people involved in the violence.

Police on Tuesday arrested a man suspected of setting the fire that destroyed a historic town hall in Limoges. Officials said he belonged to an ultra-left group and had been on a security watch list.

The economic consequences are also widening. France’s benchmark 10-year government bond yield reached its highest level in 24 years on Tuesday as investors worried about further disorder.

Carrefour put its losses from theft and damage at tens of millions of euros.

Unrest Beyond France

The French deployment comes as other European governments confront demonstrations and violence linked to discontent over living standards.

Italy’s government was expected to consider additional security measures on Tuesday after riots affected Milan and other northern cities over the weekend.

In Albania, demonstrators were expected to return to Tirana’s streets for a seventh consecutive day of protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government.