French authorities have banned demonstrations in several of the country’s largest cities, while President Emmanuel Macron blamed far-left groups for fuelling violence during weekend protests.
The Paris Police Prefecture said Thursday’s protests would be prohibited in key parts of the capital until 8pm (18:00 GMT). The restricted zones include areas near the presidential Elysee Palace, both houses of parliament, the main train stations and parts of the city centre where looting took place at the weekend. A police source said the measure was needed because of organisers’ “inability to prevent violence and vandalism”.
Bans extended to Lyon, Lille and Grenoble
Authorities also barred protests planned for Thursday in Lyon, Lille and Grenoble. Some of the protests planned for Saturday, including marches in Lyon, will also be banned, local authorities said.
The restrictions follow a day on which more than half a million people gathered across France. The crowd included students demanding better school conditions and groups protesting high living costs. At least 2,500 people were arrested after riots broke out in several areas and shops were looted.
Macron accuses ultra-left groups of sedition
Macron blamed Saturday’s riots on what he called “seditious acts” by “ultra-left” groups, which he accused of trying to “bring down the Republic”. Speaking from the Elysee Palace on Thursday, he said France would ban all “illegitimate” protests in the coming days.
Approved demonstrations led by organised groups such as unions would have to use alternative routes outside city centres to protect businesses. Macron also said he would convene the country’s defence council on Friday to take further action.
Earlier on Thursday, Macron met intelligence services, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and ministers to obtain a detailed account of what went wrong and to review preparations for upcoming protests. Lecornu said a “massive” security operation was planned for Saturday to prevent a repeat of violence by small groups of rioters, which had exposed weaknesses in security measures.
Education protests spread from Creteil to nationwide
The education demonstrations first erupted last month at a high school in Creteil, southeast of Paris, over a lack of staff. Class strikes, blockades and protests then spread to other Paris suburbs and across the country, including smaller towns.
High school students have raised concerns about underfunded schools, crumbling facilities and staff shortages, particularly in lower-income neighbourhoods. The school protests have since merged into larger demonstrations over soaring living costs.
Union representatives said their meeting with Lecornu on Wednesday produced no concrete proposals. They are now focusing on another major day of action on November 5, calling on private and public sector employees to join.
