2026-10-22 17:16:58Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Illegal protests will be banned in France in the coming days, President Emmanuel Macron said, blaming radical left-wing groups and vandals for the clashes and looting that took place over the weekend.

In a speech after meeting with intelligence chiefs and cabinet ministers, Macron said protests organized by unions would be allowed, but their routes could be changed to protect businesses from potential damage.

“The rules are simple and, in my opinion, based purely on common sense. The general recommendation is that no protests should take place in the coming days. For those who wish to continue the protests, in the case of trade union organizations, the prefects will propose alternative itineraries. As for protests that are not organized by trade unions, we will prohibit them wherever possible, in order to maintain peace and protect shops and public buildings.”

The ban on protests in Paris will be in effect until 8 p.m. and will include areas around the Elysee Presidential Palace, both chambers of Parliament, as well as the city's main train stations. The ban will also apply to areas of central Paris, which were hit hard by looting.

Macron's statements come at a time when authorities across France are preparing for new protests, following some of the worst urban unrest the country has experienced in years.

Authorities in several cities, including Paris, Lyon and Lille, had already banned protests planned for Thursday, in a decision that was seen by some as an infringement on the right of French citizens to protest.

Nighttime curfews have been imposed in some areas of France and other cities where the situation has calmed down. However, groups of high school students and university students have said they will continue to take to the streets, with a major protest planned for Saturday.

Meanwhile, business owners in Paris have stocked up on tear gas and other protective gear in anticipation of more unrest. Some of them warned that Macron still has a chance to save the country, otherwise the situation risks spiraling out of control.


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