French President Emmanuel Macron called on Saturday for calm as the country awaits massive popular protests denouncing the high cost of living. The French authorities prevented the organization of demonstrations in the French capital, Paris, a few months before the presidential elections scheduled for April and May. Macron considered that the “legitimate” demands of students were being “exploited for political purposes,” according to a government spokeswoman. Agence France-Presse, citing the French police, reported that estimates indicate that about 200,000 people may participate, including 40,000 in Paris.