France braces for third consecutive weekend of nationwide protests

France is preparing for a third consecutive round of protests this Saturday, October 31, as public opinion remains deeply divided. According to an Elabe Institute poll for BFM, 54% of the population wants the demonstrations to end, while 46% support their continuation. Support for the movement is strongest among those aged 18 to 34 and voters of left-wing parties, whereas centralist and right-wing voters generally oppose them. Despite the mixed sentiment, 60% of citizens express support for a separate strike called by labor unions for November 5.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has announced that 70,000 police officers will be deployed nationwide to maintain order, warning of strict measures against potential violence and citing online calls by extremist groups. In Paris, authorities have banned demonstrations in the city center, citing the need to protect commercial activity and mitigate the economic impact on shopkeepers, proposing alternative routes on the city's outskirts instead. Student and labor groups have condemned these restrictions as administrative repression, while students continue their protests, demanding more substantial governmental reforms for the education system.

As tensions rise, the government remains under pressure to address both student demands and the economic concerns of business owners, while unions prepare for further industrial action in early November.