Macron bans demonstrations except those organised by trade unions

MOSCOW (ANTARA) – French President Emmanuel Macron said the authorities would ban all demonstrations in the coming days, except those organised by trade unions.

“Any request to hold a demonstration or gathering submitted by parties without a legal basis for organising it will be prohibited by the prefecture,” the President said in a statement after a security coordination meeting.

Requests submitted by trade unions will be reviewed by the prefecture in accordance with applicable law.

“Alternative routes for demonstrations will be proposed to the trade unions,” he said.

The President said he would convene a meeting of the National Defence and Security Council on Friday (23 October) to discuss the security situation ahead of forthcoming protests.

“As a preparatory measure, I will convene a meeting of the Defence Council tomorrow, and we will take further decisions,” he said.

On Monday, coordinators of the Yellow Vests movement urged the French public to take to the streets on 24 October. The call also prompted Paris police to summon reserve personnel.

Protests in France began in mid-September, when secondary-school pupils in the suburbs of Paris took to the streets to demand improvements to their schools.

They were later joined by members of the public angered by rising prices, and the protests spread to other areas.

The largest demonstration took place on 17 October and ended in riots and vandalism.

According to France’s Interior Ministry, about 550,000 people took part in the demonstration.

Police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon to disperse the rioters.