Macron tightens security and extends traffic bans ahead of Saturday protests
France will deploy tens of thousands of police and prolong vehicle restrictions in Paris and other cities as large-scale demonstrations are expected on Saturday.
Facing a wave of public anger, President Emmanuel Macron's administration is preparing for a major mobilization scheduled for Saturday, involving students, university protesters and yellow-vest activists. Tens of thousands of police officers will be deployed across Paris, Lyon and other French cities, and recent traffic bans in Paris neighborhoods will remain in effect for the next several days. Macron, addressing reporters from Doha, said a full-country state of emergency could be considered if circumstances demand it.
The cabinet also unveiled a package of assistance for businesses that suffered damage during recent clashes. Education Minister Entuar Zoufre announced that the government will present an initial set of education reforms on Monday, and a diesel supply agreement with Saudi Arabia was confirmed to secure fuel deliveries for several months.
Why it matters
The measures signal a heightened state of tension in France and could affect daily life and the economy during upcoming protests.
How this story developed
- Oct 8 French teens keep schools shut as government vows vague fixes
- Oct 19 Macron rejected interior minister Laurent Nuñez's resignation after the minister acknowledged loss of control.
- Oct 19 Authorities will enforce 8 p.m.-6 a.m. curfews on Monday and Tuesday in parts of Lille and four other Nord communes following recent riots.
- Oct 19 A person died of a cardio‑respiratory arrest on Saturday afternoon, reported by the Paris police prefecture and the Paris prosecutor’s office as a man on rue du Château‑d’Eau dying after a probable malaise.
- Oct 19 Curfews were imposed overnight in sections of Paris.
- Oct 19 The Senate opened a formal inquiry into the weekend violence.
- Oct 20 Partial night curfews were imposed in sections of Paris, Nice and Lille.
- Oct 20 Curfews were extended to additional neighborhoods and cities, with assembly bans starting at 8 p.m.
- Oct 20 Troops are to be deployed and a massive police deployment is planned for Saturday protests.
- Oct 20 Sébastien Lecornu a dénoncé la planification, en certains endroits, d’un schéma insurrectionnel mené par des groupuscules d’extrême gauche et d’ultragauche.
- Oct 21 Police arrested a 40‑year‑old suspect suspected of arson at Limoges city hall.
- Oct 21 President Emmanuel Macron condemned overseas politicians for citing France's cost-of-living unrest to boost their own campaigns, saying the country is already coping with difficulties.
- Oct 21 Iran urged its citizens to avoid travel to France, Belgium and Italy because of the escalating protests.
- Oct 22 Authorities prohibited all public gatherings and demonstrations in central Paris on Thursday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
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