French government faces fresh test as Yellow Vests mobilise
TLT•Yellow Vest activists filed plans for a major Paris march on Saturday, after riots and looting last weekend. French 10-year government bond yields rose to 5%, their highest level since July 2002, as investors worried unrest could complicate efforts to repair public finances.
1. New protests planned
The Yellow Vest movement filed plans for a march through central Paris on Saturday, including areas ransacked during last weekend’s violence. Student groups also called for protests that day, while Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was due to meet union leaders to discuss keeping demonstrations peaceful.
2. Security and market concerns
The government said troops would join additional police in a reinforced security operation after acknowledging shortcomings in its response to riots in several cities. French 10-year government bond yields climbed to 5%, their highest level since July 2002, as analysts said investors were concerned unrest could complicate efforts to repair strained public finances.
3. Political response
A second consecutive night of local curfews passed without major incidents in affected areas. France’s main unions called a nationwide mobilisation for November 5, while political leaders criticised the government’s handling of the unrest and its plans to deploy troops.
