French President Emmanuel Macron said France would bar non-union demonstrations wherever possible ahead of Saturday’s protests over living costs and fuel prices, while prefects review union requests and propose alternative routes.
Prefects are officials appointed by the national government to specific regions or departments. Macron said they would examine requests from trade unions and could suggest different routes for their marches. Demonstrations organized outside unions would face bans wherever possible. He said the approach was intended to ease unrest and safeguard businesses and public facilities.
Macron acknowledged that officials had been surprised by developments during last weekend’s nationwide protests. He said prefects had already banned some gatherings and demonstrations and imposed curfews. He also said more detailed investigations were underway.
The announcement follows Macron’s earlier call for tighter protest controls. Macron said he would convene a defense council Friday to review preparations and consider additional decisions.
