{
  "id": 15840012,
  "title": "French PM to meet unions as government prepares for more protests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/french-pm-to-meet-unions-as-government-prepares-for-more-protests-15840012",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T03:03:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/21/french-pm-to-meet-unions-as-government-prepares-for-more-protests"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is set to meet with representatives from five unions on Wednesday to discuss security measures and ensure the right to protest. France's economy, the eurozone's second-largest, experienced its worst riots in recent years over the past week, leading to curfews and arrests. The unrest was sparked by rising living costs and plans for more protests are already in motion, including one organized by the Yellow Vest movement and high school students on Saturday, and another on November 5 by labor unions.\n\nImages of clashes, looting, and burning buildings have prompted travel advisories from several countries, including the United States, China, and Germany. Prime Minister Lecornu admitted that the security response had been inadequate and pledged a more robust approach ahead of the upcoming protests, which he described as massive. Lawmakers in Paris have implemented nighttime curfews in key areas, and further curfews are expected to be imposed as needed.\n\nThe unrest has drawn criticism from various political parties, with far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen suggesting it exposed a profound crisis of authority. Recent polls indicate Le Pen leading in first-round presidential voting intentions, while far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon is seen as the strongest candidate for the runoff. In response to the unrest, a parliamentary inquiry has been launched to examine potential intelligence failures, policing tactics, and government preparedness.\n\nThe government's ability to control spending has come under scrutiny, leading to a decline in French debt as investors become increasingly doubtful of the government's ability to rein in expenditures. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had offered to resign due to claims that police had lost control during the unrest, but his resignation was rejected by Prime Minister Macron. Other European countries have also witnessed demonstrations over rising prices, with smaller clashes occurring in Milan and Belgium. US President Donald Trump has leveraged the unrest in France to fuel his anti-immigration and anti-Islam rhetoric, amid his party's struggles in upcoming midterm elections.",
  "summary": "Further protests over rising living costs are planned by the 'Yellow Vest' movement and high school students, with another called by labour unions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Live: French PM Lecornu to meet with unions ahead of new protests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/live-french-pm-lecornu-to-meet-with-unions-ahead-of-new-protests",
        "published": "2026-10-21T00:45:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "How French protests are supposed to work",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/how-french-protests-are-supposed-to-work",
        "published": "2026-10-21T02:59:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "French PM to meet unions as government prepares for more protests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/french-pm-to-meet-unions-as-government-prepares-for-more-protests",
        "published": "2026-10-21T03:03:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Bangkok Post",
        "title": "French PM to meet unions as government prepares for more protests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/french-pm-to-meet-unions-as-government-prepares-for-more-protests-15842777",
        "published": "2026-10-21T03:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}