Only authorized union protests will be allowed in French towns and cities on Saturday, President Emmanuel Macron announced, following violent demonstrations across the country last weekend. As cities like Lyon and Nice imposed complete bans on protests, Macron stated that "illegitimate" protests would not be tolerated, but unions would be provided with alternative routes to protect businesses.
Context of the Protests
Last Saturday's demonstrations against the high cost of living and school conditions were overshadowed by riots and looting, resulting in significant damage to businesses and historic buildings. Interior Minister Jean-Didier Berger revealed that police deployments would increase by 20% compared to the previous weekend, as the government faced criticism for being unprepared for the scale of the unrest.
Arrests and Legal Actions
On Thursday, France's justice minister reported that 217 individuals had been jailed following fast-track trials related to last weekend's disorder, with that number expected to rise. Gérald Darmanin, the interior minister, stated that 2,700 people had been arrested across France, with over 1,000 appearing in court. Notably, half of those detained had no prior criminal record, according to Le Figaro.
Government Response
In a meeting with intelligence services and ministers, Macron prepared for the next national day of protests on Saturday. He emphasized that demonstrations would be discouraged, stating:
“"The general recommendation is that there should be no demonstrations. Those who want to continue to demonstrate, when they are trade union organisations, will have alternative routes proposed by the prefects. When they're not union organisations, wherever possible, they'll be banned."
