France is preparing for another round of demonstrations on Saturday, marking the third consecutive weekend of October protests, while public opinion remains divided over the future of the movement.
According to a poll conducted by the Elabe Institute for broadcaster BFM, 54% of French respondents want the protests to end, while 46% believe they should continue.
Among those backing the continuation of the demonstrations:
- 29% believe they should continue at their current intensity.
- 17% believe they should be intensified.
Support is strongest among 18 to 34-year-olds, while respondents aged over 35 generally favour ending the protests.
The survey also found a clear political divide. Voters aligned with left-wing parties are more likely to support continued demonstrations, while supporters of centrist and right-wing parties largely favour bringing them to an end.
Strong backing for planned strike
Public support remains significant for the nationwide strike called by trade unions for 5 November.
According to the poll, six in ten French citizens support the planned industrial action.
Authorities on alert
Police are once again on heightened alert ahead of Saturday's demonstrations.
The Yellow Vests movement has requested permission for a march beginning at Place de la Bastille, passing through central Paris and ending at Place de la Concorde.
Organisers have also sought authorisation for a sit-in protest involving pots and pans outside the French National Assembly. Police rejected that request and instead suggested the gathering be held at Place des Invalides.
Macron urges return to calm
President Emmanuel Macron has called for a return to calm and for classes to resume in secondary schools on Monday following the end of the school holidays.
He argued that the government has already responded positively to many of the demands raised during the past two weeks of protests.
Commenting on the strategy of keeping demonstrations away from city centres, Macron said the approach had proved successful during protests on 24 October, helping prevent looting and vandalism by people seeking to exploit the unrest.
Source: CNA
