Macron tells local authorities to ban non-union protests on Saturday

President Emmanuel Macron instructed local authorities on Thursday to prohibit protests on Saturday, except those organized by unions, during a security meeting. Any request for a "protest" or "regroup" from individuals lacking legitimacy would be rejected, according to Macron. The president's primary objective is to uphold public order and safeguard businesses following the unrest witnessed last week, as hundreds of thousands marched in the streets while incidents of vandalism and looting inflicted damage on thousands of businesses and public facilities.

The prospect of a potential protest weekly has surfaced due to calls for additional demonstrations online, reminiscent of the weekly protests during the 2018-2019 Yellow Vest movement. A source close to the president revealed that Macron favors discussing matters more in television studios, newspapers, and ultimately through the ballot box, specifically six months before a presidential election.

Trade unions typically engage in negotiations with local authorities prior to organizing demonstrations. For Saturday, authorities may propose "alternative routes" to ensure maximum security, Macron announced. He also mentioned that he will preside over a defense council on Friday and present "new decisions" afterward.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that elite tactical police units and a military unit typically deployed for counterterrorism operations in France would be activated on Saturday. The government has faced criticism for its handling of last week's protests, being accused of underestimating the number of demonstrators, which led to insufficient police deployment to prevent criminal acts on the sidelines.

It was reported that a union-organized protest in Paris on Saturday has received approval, while all protests in Lyon, one of the nation's largest cities, have been banned.