France's Crowd-Control Strategy Faces New Test

France faces renewed scrutiny over its crowd-control strategy as high school students and Yellow Vest protesters plan to demonstrate Saturday, with the prime minister expressing fears of violence. Official figures show over 200 student injuries and nearly 900 police casualties during three weeks of school protests, while 36 investigations have been opened into police conduct. The government defends its response, citing violent actions it labels "urban violence," and has reauthorized stun grenades suspended after a teenager was mutilated. Experts say France's policing doctrine shifted from distancing tactics toward direct intervention and arrests before Macron's presidency, but the "turning point is fully validated under Macron." Independent data ranks France second globally for police intervention in protests, including peaceful ones, and for excessive force use.