AI-generated illustration

French President Emmanuel Macron said protests that are not requested by trade union organizations will be banned in the coming days and weeks, as security measures were tightened after the Yellow Vests demonstrations of October 17, which were marked by looting and violence.

Macron said the government would block such actions wherever it can, while rallies organized by unions would be reviewed for their routes. Left-wing lawmakers criticized the plan as the kind of measure taken under authoritarian regimes, while government spokesperson Maud Bregeon defended it as lawful.

Ban on rallies not backed by unions

Macron spoke to reporters at the Elysee Palace ahead of a Security Council meeting. "In the coming days and weeks, actions that are not requested by trade union organizations will be banned," he said, adding that events not organized by "legitimate" bodies would be blocked "wherever we can."

He said demonstrations organized by unions would be examined in terms of their routes. "The general view is that there should be no action in the coming days," Macron said. "For people who want to take action, if these are union organizations, the prefectures will propose alternative routes." He said the measures were taken to protect workplaces.

Local bans and political reaction

The Loiret prefecture announced a ban on all demonstrations in Orleans over the weekend, and the Rhone prefecture did the same for Lyon. In Orleans, the authorities said planned left-wing actions due to take place while the far-right National Rally (RN) party holds a rally there on October 24 would pose a risk to public order.

Left-wing lawmakers objected to the ban decisions, saying such measures are taken under authoritarian regimes. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon argued that Macron's decision was taken "within the framework of the rule of law" and that prefectures have the authority to ban events that create a serious risk to public order.

Paris court suspends a ban

The Paris Administrative Court suspended a ban issued by the Paris Police Headquarters on a demonstration planned for today by Interfac, a body that brings together university representatives in the Ile-de-France region, which includes the capital.

According to reports in local media, university students began gathering after the ruling in the demonstration area between Pitie-Salpetriere and Bastille Square.

Yellow Vests unrest

The Yellow Vests, backed by students, held demonstrations across the country on October 17 against the high cost of living and high fuel prices. About 2,500 people were detained during the protests, and more than 1,000 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured.

About 3,000 workplaces were damaged or looted during the unrest. Business owners whose premises were harmed criticized the government for failing to manage the crisis. To prevent further actions, the government decided to impose partial curfews in some areas, above all in Paris, Lille, Lyon, Nice and Marseille.

Key takeaways

• Macron said protests not requested by unions will be banned in the coming days and weeks.
• Union-organized rallies will have their routes reviewed, with prefectures offering alternative routes.
• Orleans and Lyon banned all weekend demonstrations, while a Paris court suspended a police ban on a student protest.
• About 2,500 people were detained and more than 1,000 security and emergency personnel injured in the October 17 unrest.