Macron blames ‘seditious’ far left for unrest as France bans some protests

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Macron Blames Far Left for Unrest as France Bans Protests

   French President Emmanuel Macron has blamed ultra-left groups for riots and looting that spread across the country, vowing to ban protests by groups with no legitimate authority. Authorities have outlawed demonstrations in parts of Paris, Lyon, Lille, and Grenoble. Amid fears of further violence ahead of weekend protests, top cultural institutions including the Louvre will shut down on Saturday. French authorities have deployed 70,000 officers, and the interior minister stated that authorities will be uncompromising with vandals.

   Why it matters

   The unrest follows large-scale demonstrations that drew hundreds of thousands of people last weekend, leading to unprecedented clashes and widespread property damage. Businesses in French cities are boarding up shop windows in anticipation of more violence. The government's decision to ban specific demonstrations and tighten security marks a major escalation in the state's response to the civil unrest.

   What is confirmed

   • French President Emmanuel Macron blamed ultra-left groups for riots and looting, describing their actions as political and seditious.
   • French authorities banned demonstrations in parts of Paris, Lyon, Lille, and Grenoble.
   • Parisian landmarks including the Louvre museum will close on Saturday due to concerns over protest violence.
   • French authorities deployed 70,000 officers ahead of weekend protests.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Businesses are boarding up shop windows fearing that new demonstrations will descend into further violence.

   What to watch next

   • The actual turn-out and security enforcement levels during Saturday's demonstrations across French cities.
   • Whether additional cultural sites or public transport networks will announce closures beyond the Louvre.
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. www.cnn.com — Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | CNN
   2. help.naver.com — Futures Flat As Oil Rebounds After Trump's "Energy Ceasefire" Unravels, Memory Stocks Slide | ZeroHedge
   3. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Saudi Arabia Turns To Iran Amid Houthi Strikes, Dealing Trump A Major Gulf Blow? - Times of India Videos
   4. The American Prospect — Is Paris Burning?
   5. Reuters — France's Macron tightens curbs on protests, blaming hard left for unrest
   6. The New York Times — In the Wake of Riots, French Authorities Ban Some Protests
   7. The Economist — France’s devastation and its aftermath
   8. Al Jazeera — Macron blames ‘seditious’ far left for unrest as France bans some protests
   9. AP News — Paris' Louvre and other top museums will shut down on Saturday over concern about protest violence
   10. The Guardian — French interior minister says authorities will be ‘uncompromising’ with ‘vandals’ ahead of weekend protests – Europe live
   11. TribLIVE.com — French authorities deploy 70,000 officers for Saturday protests; Louvre and other museums closed
   12. www.foxnews.com — France's Macron criticizes 'political and seditious acts by ...
   confidence 95%