France mobilizes 70.000 police for new wave of protests. Shops close, soldiers patrol Paris streets

France mobilized about 70.000 police officers on Saturday to prevent further violence during protests in several cities across the country. Authorities fear that demonstrations against rising living costs and public service problems could escalate after last week's protests were marred by vandalism and looting. In Paris, soldiers patrolled tourist areas, many shops closed their doors and several museums were temporarily closed, reports Reuters.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered the mobilization of 10.000 more police officers than during the protests on October 17. Thousands of shops and other businesses were damaged or looted, and authorities were criticized for their inability to maintain order.

On Saturday morning, soldiers from an anti-terrorist unit patrolled the Champs-Élysées, while police vehicles monitored the Arc de Triomphe area. Authorities are trying to protect the capital's main tourist and commercial sites from possible damage.

The Minister of the Interior has asked law enforcement to react immediately to any attempt at violence. According to him, there is information about intentions to attack shops, public institutions and law enforcement representatives.

Protests in recent weeks have brought students, employees and trade unions to the streets, unhappy with rising prices and the state of public services. But authorities say radical groups and individuals involved in looting have taken advantage of the demonstrations to cause disorder.

Fearing further incidents, many Parisian retailers have put up protective panels in front of their windows, and luxury stores have stepped up security measures. Business organizations have advised retailers not to open during the protests.

Cultural institutions temporarily closed include the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay and the Paris Opera. More than 20 metro stations were also closed.

The situation is also tense over the route of the main march in Paris. Police tried to move the demonstration from the center of the capital to the southeastern outskirts, citing the risk of further violence in areas with many shops. The last-minute decision caused discontent among representatives of the left.

The leader of the France Unsubdued party, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, accused the authorities of making it difficult to organize protests by changing routes and imposing deadlines that are impossible to meet.

Restrictions have also been introduced in other cities. In Marseille, authorities have reversed a ban and allowed a union march to take place. In Strasbourg, union demonstrations are also authorized, while restrictions remain in place in the city center of Lyon. Protests are banned in several other cities, including Nancy, Metz, Rouen, Le Havre, Toulon and Limoges.

One of the first authorized marches began Saturday morning in Orléans, about 120 kilometers from Paris. Demonstrators are protesting against the far-right National Assembly party, led by Marine Le Pen, which is holding a congress in the city this weekend.

Tensions were also heightened by an armed attack west of Paris on Friday. A man suspected of acting out of hatred against Muslims killed one person and injured four others, including a 12-year-old girl.

French authorities are trying to avoid a repeat of last week's violence, as social discontent continues to fuel protests across the country.