France Bans Student Protests in Multiple Cities After Weekend Looting most dangerous countries

French authorities have banned certain student protests in multiple cities this weekend following widespread looting and clashes that marked the country's most violent unrest in years, prompting museum closures and heightened security measures as President Macron seeks to restore order.

Weekend Protest Bans After Violent Clashes

Dozens of protesters took to the Paris streets on Thursday despite bans ordered after weekend clashes and looting. French authorities banned some student protests after weekend looting and clashes. Dozens of protesters took to the Paris streets on Thursday despite bans on demonstrations ordered in multiple French cities following a weekend of clashes and widespread looting that marked France’s most violent unrest in years. [1] Macron announced only union demonstrations would be authorised, with limited routes in Paris and full bans in Marseille and Lyon. Demonstrations in Marseille in the south and Lyon in the southeast have been banned at the weekend, while in Paris protesters will only be allowed to march a limited route between Bastille and Nation squares. [5]

Museum Closures Due to Violence Concerns

French police monitor banned student protests in Paris streets after weekend looting and clashes. — Source: france24 The Louvre, Orsay and Picasso museums will shut on Saturday over concerns about protest violence. The Louvre and several other major Paris museums will be closed on Saturday over concerns about potential violence during planned protests, France's culture ministry said. In a statement to The Associated Press, the ministry said the Orsay and Picasso museums were also among those affected. [3] The Louvre and several other major Paris museums will be closed on Saturday over concerns about potential violence during planned protests, France's culture ministry said. In a statement to The Associated Press, the ministry said the Orsay and Picasso museums were also among those affected. [4] But in the capital, leading museums including the Louvre will be closed on Saturday while the Art Basel art fair is being cut short. [5]

Macron's Response and Security Measures

Macron announced only union demonstrations would be authorised, with limited routes in Paris and full bans in Marseille and Lyon. Macron, who on Thursday announced that only union demonstrations would be authorised this weekend, was to hold a meeting of his defence council of top ministers and officials and also meet security forces. He was also set to host for the first time representatives of high school pupils, whose protests over conditions at their schools sparked a movement that has broadened nationwide into a show of anger against the government at the rising cost of living. [5] Macron is due to announce "additional decisions" after hosting the meeting of his defence council, on top of the limited curfews already announced, his office said. About 20 per cent more members of the security forces will be deployed this weekend after heavy criticism of the anticipation and intelligence gathering of police last week. [5]

Judicial Actions and Government Position

Courts have sent 217 people to prison over the Saturday events, with Macron calling for utmost severity against delinquency and accusing ultra-left groups. In a judicial response of unprecedented firmness, courts have already sent 217 people, half of them first-time offenders, to prison over the events on Saturday, Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said. On Thursday, Macron called for "the utmost severity" against "acts of delinquency", accusing "ultra-left" groups of having sought to "bring down the republic" last weekend. [5] Macron's government has sought to draw a line between the legitimate demands of protesters and the looting, burning and ransacking that erupted on the sidelines of protests last Saturday. [5]

Political Impact Ahead of Elections

A new poll shows far-right leader Marine Le Pen strengthening her position as frontrunner for next year's elections due to the unrest. The protests have come at a critical moment for France six months ahead of elections to replace Macron, with a new poll underlining far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is the frontrunner and showing her position has been strengthened by the latest events. A new poll by Harris Interactive for M6/RTL made after the violence showed Le Pen soaring ahead on 33 to 35 per cent in the first round of voting for the presidential elections. It predicted that hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon was on course to face her in the run-off where Le Pen would emerge as an easy winner on about 70 per cent of the vote. [5]

Human Rights and International Image Concerns

Adding to tensions, Le Pen is at the weekend due to host her National Rally (RN) party congress in Orleans, with thousands of supporters expected but local authorities fearing clashes as opponents head to the city. [5] "In a country governed by the rule of law, the police have a responsibility both to ensure that protests can take place peacefully and safely and to protect the public from violent disorder," said Eva Cosse, senior Europe researcher at Human Rights Watch, expressing alarm over reports of children being severely injured by crowd-control weapons. The violence has tarnished the image of France ahead of elections that could be a turning point in its modern history, with the government's debt pile also troubling investors. [5]

What to watch next: Le Pen is at the weekend due to host her National Rally (RN) party congress in Orleans, with thousands of supporters expected but local authorities fearing clashes as opponents head to the city.