Global
French authorities have established a secret shelter in a suburb of Paris designated for President Emmanuel Macron, anticipating a possible breach of the Élysée Palace by protesters. This measure comes amid concerns over escalating protest movements, especially with the upcoming presidential elections, which are expected to trigger widespread demonstrations. Paris Police Chief Patrice Forêt has held multiple preparatory meetings to address scenarios that could escalate into civil unrest. Plans have been made to deploy additional security forces, and it is believed that a secret fund has been set up to finance efforts to counter potential disturbances. The wave of protests began in mid-September when high school students in Paris suburbs demanded improvements in educational conditions, later expanding to include grievances against rising prices and spreading to other regions. On Saturday, the General Confederation of Labour in Paris, one of the protest organizers, reported that the number of participants in union-led demonstrations across France reached approximately 1.6 million people.
