Protests Banned In Parts Of Paris As Macron Hits Back At Trump Over France Unrest

Protests Banned in Parts of Paris as Macron Hits Back at Trump Over France Unrest French authorities have banned demonstrations in key parts of Paris as the government struggles to contain widespread unrest triggered by the rising cost of living, while President Emmanuel Macron has criticised foreign leaders for allegedly exploiting the crisis for political gain. The restrictions, announced by police on Wednesday, will take effect from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, covering several strategic locations in the French capital, including the presidential Elysee Palace, the two houses of parliament, the Louvre Museum and the Champs-Elysees. Other areas affected by the ban include Bastille and Republique squares, as well as the Chatelet-Les Halles shopping district, which was heavily targeted by looters during the previous weekend’s violence. The decision comes as France prepares for further demonstrations following days of unrest that saw masked youths clash with security forces, loot businesses and vandalise public buildings. The government has acknowledged that authorities lost control during the violence, which has damaged France’s international image and intensified pressure on Macron’s administration ahead of the country’s 2027 presidential election. Macron, speaking to reporters during a visit to Qatar, appeared to take aim at United States President Donald Trump over comments linking the unrest to immigration and other political issues. The French president suggested that some foreign leaders were using the crisis to advance their domestic political agendas rather than offering constructive assessments of the situation. “There are people who campaign at France’s expense leaders who are in campaign mode, whether here in the region or on the other side of the Atlantic,” Macron Trump has sought to associate the unrest with migrants, jihadists and communists as he campaigns for his Republican Party ahead of the US midterm elections. He also expressed support for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who has been gaining ground in opinion polls ahead of the next presidential election. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticised the situation in France, describing the unrest in terms of what he called an “invasion of extremist Islam. Macron did not explicitly name either Trump or Netanyahu in his remarks, but his comments were widely interpreted as a response to their statements.Le Pen subsequently rejected Macron’s criticism, describing his remarks as conspiratorial and arguing that the images of violence reflected the state of France after years of his leadership. The unrest followed nationwide demonstrations against the cost of living, with more than 500,000 people reportedly taking part in rallies on Saturday. The demonstrations came after four weeks of student protests that disrupted activities in schools and universities across the country. French authorities have since increased security measures, including localised curfews and restrictions on demonstrations in areas considered vulnerable to further violence. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 2,500 people had been taken into custody during and after the unrest, with 174 jailed and another 917 formally prosecuted. The scale of the demonstrations has also raised concerns about the country’s economic outlook, as France faces mounting public debt, a growing budget deficit and uncertainty over its ability to pass a spending plan. The unrest has added pressure on Macron’s government at a politically sensitive time, with the presidential election approaching and opposition parties seeking to capitalise on public dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, labour unions are threatening further industrial action. Sophie Binet, leader of the CGT trade union, called for a new phase of protests following talks with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, warning that demonstrations and strikes could continue into next month. The Yellow Vest movement has also announced plans for another march in Paris on Saturday, with further nationwide demonstrations expected on November 5. Authorities have warned that further violence will not be tolerated as they seek to restore public order while managing growing public anger over living costs.