France protests: Macron rules out state of emergency – for now

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that his government will unveil a package of measures to address the ongoing weeks-long street protests, which have been driven by a diverse range of grievances. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is scheduled to host a press conference following a meeting with high school student unions advocating for increased educational resources and a reform of the university admissions system, which they claim perpetuates inequality.

Macron assured reporters in Marseille, where he visited to assess the aftermath of previous demonstrations, that the government is committed to addressing the legitimate demands fueling this social movement.

The Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, echoed Macron's sentiments, stating that further unrest is anticipated over the forthcoming weekend. The protests have persisted despite violent incidents that occurred nine days ago, resulting in chaos across multiple cities and raising concerns about the government's control over public order. In response to the unrest, police forces, led by the Interior Ministry, have mobilized 70,000 officers for the upcoming Saturday.