Paris restricts demonstrations after recent clashes; Macron criticizes Trump
French authorities prohibited gatherings in several Paris areas on Thursday as they prepared for additional rallies following recent severe street violence. The restrictions cover landmarks including the presidential palace, parliament, the Louvre and the Champs-Elysees. President Emmanuel Macron suggested US President Donald Trump was using the unrest for political advantage before US midterm elections.
Authorities limited assembly in central Paris from morning to evening on Thursday, covering the Élysée, parliament buildings, the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées. The move followed weekend disorder involving students and Yellow Vest participants, with another student gathering barred because officials judged organizers unable to stop violence.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was scheduled to meet mayors from Paris, Marseille and Lyon, cities hit hard by the disturbances. Nighttime curfews had already been announced for parts of Paris and other major cities, while Macron planned talks with intelligence services before further weekend actions.
The restrictions could disrupt daily routines for residents, workers and visitors near major landmarks, while curfews may weigh on businesses and tourism. Heightened policing and banned gatherings may also sharpen tensions between authorities and protesters, affecting students and Yellow Vest supporters. The Macron-Trump exchange may push the unrest further into political debate, potentially shaping public perceptions of protest rights and public order.