French authorities seek to ban or curb fresh protests

French authorities moved to limit or prohibit new protests following demonstrations last weekend that escalated into the country's most severe street violence in years. President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting with key ministers and intelligence officials, who decided to implement curfews and other security measures, including bans on groups without legitimacy holding protests.

Macron emphasized the priority was restoring calm, stating he would convene a defence council meeting of key ministers on Friday to determine the next steps for new nationwide demonstrations planned for Saturday and beyond.

The most intense violence, Macron alleged, was orchestrated by organized ultra-left groups seeking to topple the republic, labeling them as engaged in sedition. Officials are grappling with the aftermath of widespread looting, vandalism of public buildings, and clashes that erupted on October 17 during mass demonstrations against the escalating cost of living. Macron's administration acknowledged that police lost control during the unrest.