rki.news | Source: Anadolu Agency
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Monday that upcoming protests would pose security challenges, as trade unions planned nationwide mobilization on October 31 and November 5.
Speaking in Marseille, Macron described next Saturday as a “high-risk day” but said weekly demonstrations were not inevitable.
He said he had asked the government to address the “legitimate demands” behind the social movement. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was scheduled to meet high school representatives, with further announcements and short-term initiatives expected, Macron added.
The president said the government would also engage with trade unions and employers’ organizations to restore normality while respecting public rights.
Reflecting on October 17 protests, Macron acknowledged that authorities had not anticipated the mobilization’s scale and timing and had deployed insufficient security forces. He said criminal elements had joined the demonstrations.
Macron defended maintaining public order without declaring a state of emergency, saying authorities remained firm on security.
He also criticized social media, arguing that online platforms intensified polarization and drew people to locations where violence, attacks and looting occurred.
Macron Warns of Further Protests in France
