Paris bans protests after violent unrest as Macron takes swipe at Trump

French police banned protests in parts of Paris on Thursday, 22 October, as authorities prepare for further demonstrations following some of the worst street unrest in years. The unrest is linked to the cost of living and rising fuel prices: during a demonstration in Paris on 17 October, masked protesters stood next to burning bicycles amid clashes.

The restrictions came after French President Emmanuel Macron appeared to accuse US President Donald Trump of exploiting the violence for political gain ahead of the US midterm elections.

Student protest banned

Paris police banned a student protest scheduled for Thursday. A police source told the AFP news agency that the reason was the organiser's inability to prevent violence and vandalism.

France is bracing for another weekend of protests, this time by high school students and the "Yellow Vest" movement.

Meeting with mayors

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is due to meet on Thursday with the mayors of some of the cities hit hardest by the riots, including Paris, Marseille and Lyon. The source does not say what will be discussed.