Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is travelling to Limoges, badly affected by the violence of 17 October, including a fire at the town hall. President Emmanuel Macron will chair a defence council at 09:00, where further security decisions are expected after curfews and demonstration bans announced this week.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 217 people had been jailed among the 2,700 placed in custody after the violence and looting that affected about 3,000 businesses. He said the criminal response had no equivalent. On Thursday Macron demanded the greatest firmness against acts of delinquency and accused ultra-left groups of having tried to bring down the Republic last weekend.
A second day of demonstrations is expected across France on Saturday. Macron has warned that only marches organised by unions will be allowed. Planned protests in Lyon and Marseille have therefore been banned, though administrative courts could suspend some bans if appeals are filed. In Paris a single procession has been authorised between Bastille and Nation. The city called on residents to show the greatest vigilance, and the Paris police prefect asked shopkeepers to use private security if they can.
The government said the security forces, overwhelmed on 17 October, will be 20% more numerous than last week. They will be backed by soldiers of the Sentinelle force, elite police and gendarmerie units including the Raid, the GIGN and the BRI, as well as helicopters and armoured vehicles. The Élysée said Macron will also visit the security forces, without giving further details.
Another point of tension is the National Rally congress in Orléans on Saturday and Sunday. Party vice-president Louis Aliot said he hoped security would be guaranteed, while 20,000 to 30,000 anti-RN activists are expected on Saturday, including Socialist Party first secretary Olivier Faure and CGT general secretary Sophie Binet. Nearly 3,000 officers will be deployed.