France sends in soldiers: Sentinelle troops to free up police before protest day

After the weekend's severe riots, France will also deploy soldiers for the next day of protests on Saturday, 24 October. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told the National Assembly that Operation Sentinelle forces would replace police and gendarmes "mainly on static guarding duties" so that they are freed up for public-order missions. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said: "The deployment next Saturday will be massive." Nuñez is also considering banning undeclared demonstrations that could cause public disorder. Around 10,000 soldiers serve in the Sentinelle mission, launched in 2015 after terror attacks.

By Monday evening, more than 2,500 people had been taken into police custody, according to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin. 200 investigators are to identify those involved in the violence, and parliament is setting up a commission of inquiry into the causes of the unrest. In Paris, restrictions applied around Place de la République overnight into Wednesday, and gatherings were banned on the Champs-Élysées and near the presidential palace, parliament and senate, among other places. Lille and Marseille have night-time curfews for minors.

Lecornu framed the situation as a choice "between violence and the Republic" and blamed far-left groups. They accuse the government of underestimating anger over rising living costs and declining public services. The protests were sparked by living costs and conditions in schools. On 8 October, the education ministry announced plans to send more than 3,000 substitute teachers to the high schools most in need. The unrest catches President Emmanuel Macron in a weak position: an Ipsos poll on 7 and 8 October put his approval rating at 15 percent.