French authorities extended curfews and banned protests in several cities following widespread riots and property damage.
Paris officials extended a partial curfew through Monday to prevent more unrest. Meanwhile, Marseille and Lyon banned all public protests for the weekend. Authorities also closed major museums like the Louvre to protect against potential damage.
Next, the government increased police presence by 20 percent compared to last week. President Emmanuel Macron met with intelligence leaders to prepare for the upcoming demonstrations. He stated that only authorized union marches may proceed in certain areas.
Also, the state plans to ban all other unauthorized gatherings where possible. Macron blamed far-left groups for organizing acts that threaten the stability of the Republic. He aims to restore peace across all French cities.
Then, officials reported that 2,700 people were arrested across France since the violence began. Fast-track trials already led to 217 convictions. Many of those detained have no previous criminal record.
As a result, public transport in Marseille will stop on Saturday. The city suffered severe damage to over 500 businesses last weekend. A new curfew will apply to the entire population in that region overnight.
However, other cities like Nice, Toulon, and Rouen also implemented new restrictions. Local authorities want to avoid the destruction seen in the previous week. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu promised a massive police deployment to maintain order.
Still, some officers told the media they lack training for such large crowds. Protests originally began over the rising cost of living and fuel prices. Student groups and the yellow-vest movement led many of the initial demonstrations.
Finally, the violence caused significant damage to historic landmarks. Rioters set fire to the Lyon tourism office and destroyed parts of the Limoges city hall. Police continue to investigate these criminal acts as the country prepares for future elections.