French PM Lecornu to meet five unions and vows ‘massive’ police deployment for Saturday Yellow Vest protests after government admits officers lost control

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was due to meet representatives of five unions on Wednesday as the country prepared for new demonstrations called for Saturday by the Yellow Vest movement. He has vowed a “massive” police deployment after his government acknowledged that law enforcement officers lost control of last weekend’s violence, when nationwide marches against high inflation devolved into clashes, vandalism and looting—the worst riots seen in years.

Authorities have ordered partial curfews in parts of Paris and other cities to prevent further violence. The unrest has come after weeks of student protests and unsettled financial markets, with the Paris stock market and government bonds falling. Moody’s is expected to lower its grade on France’s public debt. The source also said President Emmanuel Macron is in his final months of office and rival politicians have little interest in cooperating with his government.