Marine Le Pen Launches 2027 Push as Thousands Protest in France | Times Now World

France is bracing for another tense weekend. The government is putting up to 70,000 police officers on the streets as anger over living costs, public services and political divisions continues to grow. And with Marine Le Pen preparing for the 2027 presidential race, the unrest is exposing the deep cracks in France's political establishment. The security measures are extraordinary. Police are backed by helicopters, armoured vehicles, and water cannons. In Paris, authorities have restricted protest routes, shopkeepers are boarding up their stores, and major museums, including the Louvre, have shut their doors. Why? Last weekend, more than 500,000 people took to the streets, while around 3,000 shops were damaged or looted. But this is about much more than schools. The protests began over staff shortages at one high school. They have since grown into a wider movement over the cost of living, wages and pensions. Students want more university places, more teachers and better facilities. They are also demanding greater financial support as everyday expenses continue to bite. Meanwhile, in Orléans, thousands took to the streets against Marine Le Pen's national rally as the party held its national congress. Around 50 political parties, unions and associations backed the protest. Nearly 3,000 police and gendarmes were deployed in the city as Le Pen's party prepared for its 2027 presidential campaign. And that leaves Macron facing pressure on multiple fronts. He has met student representatives, but protesters want concrete action, not just promises. Meanwhile, the national rally is preparing to make its case to voters. With public anger rising and political divisions widening, France's leadership faces a serious test of its authority.