Macron announces ban on unauthorized protests across France

French President Emmanuel Macron said strict security measures would be imposed to prevent mass unrest and unauthorized protests across the country, during a media briefing at the Élysée Palace before an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the French leader said all unauthorized demonstrations held without a formal request and organization by trade unions would be banned.

President Macron stressed that protests not organized through legal channels pose a threat to state security, saying:

“We will immediately prevent, wherever possible, all unauthorized protests that are not organized by lawful organizations and trade unions. Circumstances require that mass demonstrations not be held in the coming days. Prefectures will offer appropriate alternative routes to official organizations that wish to organize demonstrations.”

The French president said the strict measures were intended to protect workplaces, civilian infrastructure and public order. Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon also defended the decision, saying it had been taken entirely “within the framework of the rule of law” and that prefectures were authorized to ban demonstrations that pose a risk to public order.

Left-wing lawmakers, however, objected to the government’s decision, describing restrictions on demonstrations as characteristic of authoritarian methods of governance.

In line with the government’s decision, the Loiret prefecture postponed all demonstrations planned in Orleans over the weekend, while the Rhône prefecture did the same in Lyon. Authorities said an attempt by radical left-wing groups to stage a protest during a rally by the right-wing National Rally (RN) party in Orleans on October 24 could lead to clashes.

The Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture also banned all mass marches in the department on October 24. Security measures in the region were tightened, and authorities said a partial overnight curfew in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. would also apply to adults.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin appealed to prosecutors to seek the harshest penalties for those detained over violence, looting and damage to public property during the October 17 “Yellow Vests” protests. He called for additional sanctions against those convicted, including bans on attending demonstrations, temporary suspension of civil rights, including the right to vote, and removal from social media platforms. Deporting foreign nationals involved in violence and barring them from entering France were also raised as possible measures.

Meanwhile, the Paris Administrative Court suspended a ban imposed by the capital’s police on a demonstration by the student organization Interfac. Following the ruling, university students began gathering in the area between Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital and Place de la Bastille.

On October 17, the “Yellow Vests” movement and student organizations held mass protests across the country against the rising cost of living and fuel prices. About 2,500 people were detained during violent unrest, and more than 1,000 law enforcement officers and firefighters were injured. Around 3,000 businesses and workplaces were damaged or looted. Partial curfews were imposed in major cities including Paris, Lille, Lyon, Nice and Marseille.