France's Macron says 'illegitimate' protests will be banned in coming days

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that demonstrations organized by groups without legitimate authority would be banned in the coming days.

Over the past weekend, protests over the education system and the cost of living escalated into violence and looting, which the government blamed on ultra-left groups.

"Last Saturday we had political and seditious acts by ultra-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic," Macron said after a special security meeting at the Elysee Palace with intelligence chiefs and senior ministers.

"The general recommendation is not to hold demonstrations in the coming days," he explained. "We want calm to return." 

Macron said the ban on protests aimed to protect city centers, businesses and public buildings. 

"Where trade unions submit requests to hold demonstrations, prefects will examine them in accordance with the law, but alternative routes will be proposed," he added.

Fresh demonstration in Paris

In the wake of the past weekend’s violence, several cities had already implemented curfews for certain parts of town. Protests planned Thursday in Paris, Lyon, Lille and Grenoble were banned from going ahead. 

Authorities say a massive security operation was planned for the coming weekend to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s violence. 

Student and university groups as well as unions have said they would continue to mobilize and hold protests. On Thursday, thousands gathered in Paris when a local court was said to have overturned the day's demonstration ban. 

France's main student union, UNEF, has called for rallies on Saturday, while the Yellow Vest movement, whose demonstrations over fuel prices shook the country in 2018 and 2019, has filed plans for a march through central Paris.

France: Why students are taking to the streets

What are the protests about?

The protests started in September at a school near Paris over lack of funding for the education system.

The demonstrations then spread to other Paris suburbs and eventually to other French cities. They have since widened to also address the soaring cost of living and deteriorating public services. 

On October 17, the protests escalated into the worst urban unrest in years when masked rioters clashed with police, looted shops and set cars and buildings on fire. 

Two people have been arrested over an arson attack on the 19th-century Limoges city hall, French media reported.

Across France, there were around 2,700 arrests last weekend and hundreds of protesters, police and firefighters were injured. 

French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said courts jailed 217 people in fast-track trials linked to rioting over the weekend, adding "this figure is continuing to rise a lot."

Macron on Thursday said talks between authorities, student groups, unions, and employers would take place on Monday. He stressed that dialogue over protesters' legitimate demands should continue. 

The unrest comes just months before next year's presidential election, in which voters will choose Macron's successor.

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