French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a ban on certain demonstrations in the coming days, calling for calm after violence erupted on the sidelines of protests in several cities.
Speaking after a meeting with the heads of France’s intelligence services, Macron said the decision was intended to protect city centres, particularly businesses and public buildings.
“The rules are simple: there must be no demonstrations in the coming days,” he said, while clarifying that marches and protests backed by trade unions could still take place with the approval of local mayors and prefects.
Macron criticises police response and far-left groups
Referring to the unrest over the previous weekend, Macron criticised the police for what he described as a lack of foresight and surprise at the violence that broke out around demonstrations in several cities.
He also accused organised far-left groups of using extreme violence and careful planning to try to overthrow the Republic.
At the same time, Macron condemned acts of criminality, saying authorities must respond firmly, while stressing that such offences were not of the same nature as the politically motivated violence he described.
Thousands arrested amid security measures
Macron pointed to security measures introduced by prefects, including curfews and bans on gatherings. He also referred to legal proceedings that had led to several thousand arrests and, he said, several hundred people being sent to prison.
The president mentioned a meeting between the government and political parties, as well as discussions between the mayors of Paris, Lyon and Marseille and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
The prime minister and government will also meet representatives of secondary school and university students, teachers, trade unions, employers’ organisations, local authorities and members of parliament.
Union march to go ahead in Paris
Macron announced that a Defence Council would meet on Friday to consider additional decisions.
Meanwhile, Paris police said a trade union march planned for Saturday from Bastille to Place de la Nation would be allowed to proceed.
However, a separate march organised by the Yellow Vests, planned from Place de la République to the Opéra, would not be permitted.
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