New mass protests in France, police move to thwart banned rally

PARIS, Nov 7: Tens of thousands of people protest across France on Saturday in a new show of anger against the government with Paris police imposing strict security to prevent an unauthorised gathering close to the Elysee Palace.

The protests mark the fourth weekend in a row of demonstrations, which have burst on the scene as the country tilts towards presidential elections in five months' time in which the far right sees its best chance yet to win power.

Authorities expected up to 170,000 people to protest nationwide, including 60,000 in Paris. The demonstrations come two days after mass protests by unions on November 5 accompanied by strikes.

Some 70,000 members of the security forces were deployed Saturday, ready to move in quickly after mass protests on October 17 degenerated into the worst riots seen in France in years.

Unions planned to stage a march along a traditional route, from the Place de la Republique in central Paris to Place de la Nation in the east of the city.

But the Yellow Vests movement -- a group whose protests shook President Emmanuel Macron in the early years of his rule almost a decade ago -- has called for a rival demonstration at the Place de la Concorde in central Paris, a stone's throw from the Elysee Palace where the president resides and from the lower house of parliament.�" AFP