France is deploying 70,000 police officers across the country to prevent riots during large-scale demonstrations scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026. Laurent Nuñez warned that the date carries a “very high risk” of public disorder, according to CNN Indonesia, as radical left-wing groups and “Yellow Vest” activists call for a “revolution” coinciding with Halloween.
70,000 Officers Deployed Against Halloween Riots
Laurent Nuñez told reporters on October 29 that authorities detected social media calls for gatherings on Saturday night that exceed simple holiday celebrations. Nuñez stated these meetings will be banned, as reported by CNN Indonesia. The security surge follows a violent wave of protests on October 17, which resulted in looted shops and burned buildings.
The current unrest is driven by a coalition of student unions and the Yellow Vest movement. While initial protests began in late September with students protesting poor education quality in suburban schools, the movement expanded to include broader grievances over inequality and the rising cost of living, CNN Indonesia reports.
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The scale of the unrest is massive; JEKTVNEWS reports that approximately 410,000 people have participated in protests across France, with 110,000 concentrated in Paris alone.
Indonesian Embassies Issue Safety Alerts in France and Germany
The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Paris has urged Indonesian citizens to increase vigilance on October 31, specifically in Paris and other cities serving as mass concentration points. The embassy advised citizens to avoid city centers, government buildings, shopping malls, and public facilities.
KBRI Paris instructed citizens to follow local security restrictions and monitor official police and transport updates. In cases of emergency, the embassy provided a protection hotline at +33621122109.
Similar warnings were issued by KBRI Berlin for Indonesian citizens in Germany. The embassy in Berlin requested that citizens avoid protest sites and monitor public transport updates through official channels.
France Reverses Education Cuts to Dampen National Protests
To dampen the national protests, the French government reversed several austerity measures. Édouard Geffray announced on October 26 the cancellation of plans to cut 836 secondary education positions and the addition of 500 new high school teachers, JEKTVNEWS reports.
Sébastien Lecornu also approved 4 billion euros (approximately Rp80.8 trillion) in subsidized loans for local governments to renovate middle and high schools. The government also agreed to cap class sizes at 28 students for 50% of schools in disadvantaged socio-economic areas starting in 2027, according to JEKTVNEWS.
The protests were partly fueled by wage gaps within Europe. JEKTVNEWS cites OECD data showing a stark contrast in teacher compensation:
| Country | Average Gross Annual Teacher Salary |
|---|---|
| France | 41,968 euro (Rp851 million) |
| Germany | 69,453 euro (Rp1.4 billion) |
As Kompas.id noted during early October visits, the “spirit of revolution” is deeply ingrained in the city, and protests can emerge quickly even in tourist-heavy areas.
Paris Atmosphere Amidst Turmoil
Despite the political volatility, tourism in Paris remains active. Kompas.id reported that in early October, the city continued to attract international visitors and pre-wedding photography shoots, though the “atmosphere of demonstration” remained palpable in daily conversations among residents.
Common Questions About the France Protests
The protests are being called by the Yellow Vest movement and French student unions, with CNN Indonesia noting that radical left-wing activists are also involved in calls for a “revolution.”
According to JEKTVNEWS, the government canceled 836 job cuts, added 500 teachers, and allocated 4 billion euros for school renovations.
KBRI Paris specifically warned against city centers, government buildings, and shopping centers where mass gatherings are likely to occur.
Thousands of people have already been arrested during the broader wave of protests across various regions of France.