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French President Emmanuel Macron has said “illegal” protests will be banned in the coming days, while alternative routes will be offered for marches held by organised groups such as trade unions to protect businesses, Reuters reported.
“The general instruction is that demonstrations should not take place in the coming days. For those who wish to continue demonstrating, if they are organised by trade unions, prefects will propose alternative routes. If they are not organised by trade unions, we will ban demonstrations wherever possible to maintain calm and protect shops and public buildings,” the French President said.
Earlier on 22 October, Macron met intelligence chiefs and ministers to discuss the crisis in the country.
The French President also said far-left groups and vandals were behind the unrest and looting that took place in various parts of the country on 17 October.
He said criminal offences had been committed and would be punished with the utmost severity.
Around half a million people took part in protests across France on 17 October. The demonstrations were accompanied by unrest, clashes with police and looting. Around 2,400 people were arrested and 1,000 law enforcement officers were injured. A partial curfew was imposed in some French cities.