Macron says ‘illegitimate’ protests will be banned in France after weekend riots

Summary

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that ‘illegitimate’ protests would be banned in the coming days and blamed ‘seditious’ ultra-left groups and vandals for last weekend’s riots and looting across France. Junior interior minister Jean-Didier Berger said police presence would be ‘20% higher’ than last weekend, with reinforcements from the army, elite police forces and the gendarmerie. The Financial Times reported that labour unions will be allowed to organise marches on Saturday, but other activists will not, in an effort to prevent more rioting. The reports give no further details on the scale of the protests or on any arrests.

Timeline

1. NBC News

   22 Oct 2026, 11:31 UTCSource ↗

   NBC News reports that Macron said ‘illegitimate’ protests would be banned in the coming days and blamed ‘seditious’ ultra-left groups and vandals for Saturday’s riots and looting across France, as cities block demonstrations.

2. The Straits Times

   22 Oct 2026, 11:31 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports from Paris that Macron said on Thursday that ‘illegitimate’ protests would be banned in the coming days and blamed ‘seditious’ ultra-left groups and vandals for last weekend’s riots and looting.

3. The Guardian

   22 Oct 2026, 14:54 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian’s Europe live blog reports that police presence will be ‘20% higher’ than last weekend, with reinforcements from the army, elite police forces and gendarmerie, as details of the planned police response to the weekend’s protests emerge ahead of Macron’s remarks.

4. Financial Times

   22 Oct 2026, 17:36 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that Macron announced protest restrictions, saying labour unions can hold marches on Saturday but other activists cannot, in an effort to prevent more rioting.