France is preparing for the national holiday, but the atmosphere is tense. With an enormously increased police presence and strict security measures, the country wants to ward off possible unrest.
France is mobilizing 130,000 police officers nationwide this year for fear of new unrest on the national holiday on July 14. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced extraordinary precautions to ensure security in Paris on Wednesday.
On Thursday and Friday evening alone, 45,000 officers are said to be on duty. There are also special units such as helicopters, drones and armored vehicles. In all metropolitan areas, bus and tram services will stop at 10 p.m. S-Bahn and Métro in Paris remain in operation.
After a police officer fatally shot a youth during a traffic check near Paris a good two weeks ago, there had been serious unrest in France for days. Officials were attacked with firecrackers and public buildings such as police stations and schools were set on fire. Thousands of cars burned out. The unrest died down. But the concern is that they will flare up again for the national holiday this Friday.
There is already a nationwide ban on fireworks due to concerns about renewed riots. Several cities canceled the traditional National Day fireworks display for safety reasons. President Emmanuel Macron does without the usual television speech.
Source: Stern
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