France Deploys 90,000 Police and Gendarmes to Secure New Year's Eve Celebrations

As France prepares to welcome the New Year, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has confirmed the deployment of 90,000 police and gendarmes across the country to ensure public safety during the December 31 celebrations. In Paris and its suburbs alone, around 10,000 security personnel will be mobilized to manage the expected large crowds, particularly on the Champs-Élysées. The iconic avenue will host a midnight fireworks display and a video projection on the Arc de Triomphe, replacing the concerts held in previous years.

Nuñez emphasized the necessity of firmness and authority in law enforcement actions, reminding that the security plan mirrors last year’s measures. The minister issued strict instructions to prefects to tackle potential risks, especially considering the backdrop of recurrent end-of-year urban violence, including mortar attacks against security forces.

To maintain order, a substantial security perimeter will be established in Paris’s key celebration zones. The comprehensive law enforcement presence aims to mitigate risks and provide a safe environment for revelers.

With the emphasis on vigilance, the government is proactively addressing the challenges that accompany large public gatherings on New Year's Eve. Nuñez noted, "These are 90,000 police and gendarmes in total who will be mobilized. I have reiterated the instructions which are those of firmness and authority."