Macron bans 'illegitimate' protests as France tightens security

· Politics · France

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that "illegitimate" protests would be banned in the coming days, blaming "seditious" ultra-left groups and vandals for last weekend's riots and looting. Authorities moved to curb fresh demonstrations: the Paris police prefecture extended a nightly curfew in some areas from 11pm to 6am until Monday, and Lyon and Marseille banned all protests on Saturday. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu met party leaders to try to prevent violence. The justice minister said 217 people have been jailed over the unrest and 2,700 detained, while lawyers criticised fast-track trials and prison overcrowding. Students held new demonstrations despite school holidays, and Paris shopkeepers boarded up windows ahead of planned weekend protests.

Why it matters：France is testing how far a democracy can restrict assembly to restore order, with the unrest feeding directly into investor concerns about the country's budget and rising borrowing costs.

Key points

  • Paris curfew runs 11pm-6am in designated areas until Monday
  • 217 people jailed and 2,700 detained over the riots, the justice minister said
  • Lyon and Marseille banned all protests on Saturday

Sources (original reporting)

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