Monday 19 Oct 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron.
French President Emmanuel Macron has authorised regional prefects to ban demonstrations nationwide, announcing that local authorities can now prohibit rallies to maintain law and order and restore public calm after nationwide unrest.
Macron addressed the nation from the Elysee Palace after massive demonstrations organised by the Yellow Vest movement—backed by student unions and trade unions—were followed by reports of widespread property damage on Saturday.
"Yesterday, Saturday, Oct. 17, extremist far-left groups, together with numerous criminals who contributed to their activities, unleashed uncontrolled violence in our cities," Macron said, calling on trade unions and political parties to condemn the riots.
“The country needs order and calm, not an escalation of tensions,” Macron added, citing reports of widespread looting and arson attacks on Limoges City Hall and Lyon’s tourist office.
"Seeing the streets of our cities devastated in this way is unbearable... Nothing can justify this. Nothing can explain it. Nothing can excuse it."
'Full transparency'
He pledged that senior officials would coordinate with mayors to protect cities, public buildings and businesses, and promised support for affected businesses.
"Seeing the streets of our cities ransacked in this way is unbearable," he said.
Macron vowed "full transparency" on the security forces' response to the protests after criticism that police preparations had been inadequate.
He said he had asked Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to "draw all necessary lessons", particularly on intelligence gathering and anticipation, adding that he expected "clear answers".
Nearly 2,400 people were arrested on Saturday, while almost 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven seriously, according to the Interior Ministry.
The protests began last month over teacher shortages and poor school conditions before widening into a movement against inequality, spending cuts and rising living costs.
More than half a million people marched across France on Saturday.
While some demonstrators protested peacefully, reports emerged of shops being looted and public buildings attacked. A suspected arson attack reportedly caused extensive damage to Limoges’ historic town hall.
Fresh clashes broke out in Paris on Sunday, with police firing tear gas at Place de la Republique.
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Source: TRT
