France to deploy soldiers at Saturday protests

France will deploy military forces to support police during planned demonstrations this coming Saturday, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced Tuesday, aiming to improve order maintenance capabilities. The move follows weekend protests that escalated into riots and looting, prompting Nuñez's resignation request, which President Emmanuel Macron rejected, and curfews in parts of Paris. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu promised a "massive" police presence and blamed far-left groups for the unrest. The protest wave began in late September over student grievances about education funding, teacher shortages, and poor facilities, later attracting unions and "yellow vest" activists. Prosecutors note difficulty determining arrestees' political affiliations, though one arson suspect has known far-left ties.