In brief
Following violent looting and fire damage in cities such as Lyon and Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that only authorised union demonstrations will be allowed on Saturday. Interior Minister Jean‑Didier Berger will increase police presence by 20% to curb unrest. The decision comes after police arrested 2,700 people and courts convicted 217 amid the turmoil. Macron criticised far‑left groups for political violence and called for calm ahead of the final months of his presidency.
After last weekend’s violent unrest that left historic buildings ablaze and a tourism office in Lyon set on fire, President Emmanuel Macron has announced that only authorised union demonstrations will be permitted in French cities this Saturday.
Macron held a meeting with ministers and intelligence services on Thursday to prepare for the next day of protests, stating that "illegitimate" demonstrations would be banned. Prefects will offer alternative routes for trade‑union groups, but non‑union marchers will be prohibited wherever possible.
The violence was sparked by a wave of protests over rising fuel and living costs, drawing an estimated 550,000 participants. While many marches were peaceful, scenes of looting and destruction erupted in Lyon, Nice and other major cities.
Interior Minister Jean‑Didier Berger has increased police deployments by 20% in response to the scale of the disorder, following accusations that the government was blindsided. A total of 2,700 arrests were recorded across France, with more than 1,000 people appearing in court. In fast‑track trials, 217 individuals have already been jailed, and that number is expected to rise.
Macron condemned the “political and even seditious acts” of far‑left groups and called for stability as the country approaches the final months of his presidency. Curfews were imposed in several cities after the unrest, and the government warned of a "massive" police deployment to manage potential clashes this weekend.
A link to recent coverage: Curfews were imposed in several cities.
