France braces for new protests Saturday after weekend riots, with 2,500 held in custody

France is bracing for new protests Saturday after a weekend of riots and looting, with student unions and yellow vests planning actions while over 2,500 people remain in custody. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu credited targeted night curfews for restoring calm, but acknowledged security shortcomings that left city centers vulnerable. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin reported 123 people in detention awaiting trial, with the government vowing to restore order. The protests stem from grievances over a broken education system and rising fuel costs. The yellow vest movement, born in 2018 over petrol taxes, has resurfaced, though major labor unions like the CGT have not joined Saturday's calls.