France's Macron says 'illegitimate' protests will be banned, claims ultra-left groups behind riots

French President Emmanuel Macron declared on Thursday that unauthorized protests would be prohibited in the upcoming days, while demonstrations organized by groups like unions would be given alternative avenues for marching to shield businesses. The announcement came after a meeting with intelligence officials and senior ministers to address the ongoing crisis.

Macron further alleged that "seditionist" ultra-left groups and vandals were responsible for the riots and looting that occurred across France on the previous Saturday. Political rivals from the center-left to the far-right have turned against Jean-Luc Melenchon and his party, France Unbowed (LFI), accusing them of exacerbating France's most severe civil unrest in years.

Melenchon, who launched his fourth presidential campaign in May and remains the frontrunner among the hard left to advance to the election runoff next year, has faced increasing criticism since the unrest spread to several French cities. His opponents argue that years of confrontational rhetoric from the LFI have fueled the tensions now erupting in the streets.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu intensified these criticisms on Tuesday, addressing an LFI lawmaker and stating that the party's political agenda of inciting violence and chaos in the country is now evident. The 75-year-old leader has dismissed claims that the LFI is responsible for the unrest, blaming the government for failing to tackle the deep-rooted social and economic grievances plaguing France's underprivileged suburbs.