Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez has announced a ban on the demonstration planned by the 'Paris-Banlieue anti-fascist action' collective for Sunday. The demonstration was scheduled to take place in front of the National Assembly at the close of the second round of legislative elections. This decision was confirmed by a police source on Thursday evening.
The collective had called for unity against the extreme right and its allies, urging people to 'converge towards the National Assembly' through social media posts. In response to potential public order disturbances, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that 30,000 police officers and gendarmes, including 5,000 in Paris and its suburbs, would be mobilized on Sunday evening for the second round of the legislative vote.
According to intelligence services, there are 'real risks of disturbances to public order' after the second round, with potential incidents arising from gatherings and clashes between opposing groups. Polls indicate a likely victory for the National Rally (RN) and its allies in the legislative elections, although they are not expected to secure an absolute majority of the 577 deputies.
- The decision to ban the demonstration comes amid heightened tensions and concerns over public safety. The authorities are taking preemptive measures to prevent any potential violence or clashes that could arise from the political climate.
- The mobilization of a significant number of police officers and gendarmes underscores the seriousness with which the government is approaching this situation. The intelligence services' warnings highlight the volatile nature of the current political landscape in France.
