France braces ahead of planned weekend protests

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French authorities readied a heavy security presence ahead of planned weekend protests, aiming to head off instability that has called into question the country’s long-term economic prospects. Demonstrations last week erupted into violence, including mass looting and cars being set alight, resulting in more than 2,000 arrests.
The unrest has huge domestic and international implications: Analysts argue the violence bolsters the case made by the far-right — the favorite in 2027 elections — that the current leadership is ineffective, while foreign investors, who hold the majority of France’s mammoth government debt, may grow skeptical that Paris can get to grips with its budget. “A ‘perfect storm’ appears to be forming over the French economy,” a Le Monde columnist warned.

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