Macron bans ‘illegitimate’ demonstrations amid growing student protests

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a ban on what he described as “illegitimate” protests across France following weeks of escalating unrest led by students.

Macron said the restrictions were intended to contain the unrest while the government considers further measures to address the situation.

Following a meeting with intelligence chiefs and senior ministers, the French president explained that demonstrations organised by recognised groups would be permitted to proceed, although authorities could alter their routes.

However, protests organised by “individuals or groups with no legitimate authority” would be banned, while requests submitted by recognised organisations, including trade unions, would be “examined in accordance with the law.”

“The rules are simple and I think they’re common sense,” Macron said. “The general recommendation is that there should be no demonstrations in the coming days.”

The protests

France has been struggling to contain its largest student protest movement in decades, with demonstrations expanding into a broader movement involving trade unions and supporters of the Yellow Vests. 

A wave of protest swept across Europe following the protests in France, with demonstrations intensifying in Italy, Albania, and Belgium.

The protests intensified on 17 October, when an estimated 550,000 people took to the streets nationwide, according to authorities. Organisers placed the figure considerably higher, at 800,000.

Initially driven by high school students protesting deteriorating conditions in schools, the demonstrations have since attracted trade unions demanding higher wages and better public services, alongside Yellow Vest supporters protesting rising fuel prices and living costs.

Strikes, demonstrations and blockades have increasingly escalated into violent clashes between protesters and police, prompting widespread criticism of the authorities' response.

In one incident, a police officer was filmed restraining a girl in a headlock, a technique banned in France.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old student lost his hand after picking up a police grenade that had been thrown into a crowd of high school protesters during clashes.

A 16-year-old boy taking part in demonstrations in Tours also lost the use of one eye after being injured during a blockade on 30 September, reportedly after being struck by a rubber projectile fired by police.

Authorities have also launched an investigation into the use of a UK-funded police vehicle, originally intended for border enforcement, against student protesters in Dunkirk.

Internal investigations have reportedly been opened into 36 incidents of alleged excessive force during the protests.

Government's response

Macron blamed much of the unrest on rioters who attended demonstrations specifically to loot businesses, while attributing the worst of the violence to “political and seditious acts by ultra far-left groups who aimed to bring down the republic.”

A police ban on demonstrations planned in Paris for Thursday was overturned by a court. However, marches scheduled for the same day in Grenoble, Rouen, Le Havre and Toulon were nevertheless prohibited.

What’s next?

Authorities have also announced a ban on all demonstrations planned for Saturday in Lyon, France's third-largest city, where between 200 and 300 shops were looted and the tourist office was set ablaze during the unrest.

Similar restrictions have been announced for Marseille, Nice and Toulon.

In Paris, a march scheduled to begin at the Place de la Bastille on Saturday has been authorised, although protesters will not be permitted to enter the city centre.

However, a separate demonstration planned for the same day by students and supporters of the Yellow Vests movement, whose protests over fuel prices rocked France in 2018 and 2019, has been prohibited.

France's main student union, UNEF, has also called for rallies on Saturday.

Meanwhile, businesses in central Paris and other major cities have begun boarding up their windows and hiring private security in anticipation of further violence, according to French media reports.

Macron said key ministers would meet on Friday to discuss the government's next steps in addressing the unrest.