French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to prevent further disorder during upcoming demonstrations, warning that those seeking to cause chaos in city centres will be stopped as the country prepares for another round of protests over the cost of living and public services.
Speaking to journalists in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, Macron said he would meet French intelligence officials ahead of demonstrations planned for Saturday, October 24. His remarks came after violent incidents, looting and clashes with police overshadowed protests across several French cities last weekend.
Macron also criticised foreign leaders for comments he said were exploiting France’s unrest for political purposes. Although he did not initially name them directly, his remarks appeared to target US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Al Jazeera and Euronews.
The French government is preparing for renewed demonstrations as the Yellow Vest movement plans a major march in Paris on Saturday. Student groups have also called for protests demanding greater investment in education.
The demonstrations come amid public frustration over rising living costs, school conditions and declining public services. The Yellow Vest movement originally emerged in 2018 in response to fuel prices and broader economic grievances.
Last weekend’s protests drew hundreds of thousands of people across France. While many demonstrations were peaceful, some areas experienced clashes, property damage and looting.
Macron said the government would take all necessary measures to restore calm, security and public order. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has also promised a substantial deployment of police, supported by the military, to prevent a repeat of the violence.
Macron said a nationwide state of emergency was not currently necessary, while existing curfews and restrictions on public gatherings remained part of the authorities’ response.
Macron condemned what he described as unacceptable and “stupid” comments by foreign leaders about the unrest in France.
He argued that some leaders were using the situation to mobilise their own political supporters rather than help address the underlying problems.
His remarks appeared to refer to Trump, who portrayed the unrest as evidence of problems related to immigration, and Netanyahu, who claimed France had been engulfed by an “invasion of extremist Islam”.
Neither leader provided evidence in support of those characterisations, according to Al Jazeera’s report.
Macron distinguished between the events themselves and what he described as foreign manipulation of information in their aftermath. He said he had not seen visible evidence of foreign interference in the demonstrations but warned that misleading information had subsequently circulated.
The dispute highlights how domestic unrest in France has become part of a wider international political debate over immigration, security and the spread of misinformation.
The latest unrest has been driven by a combination of economic pressures and demands for improved public services.
Rising living costs have added to concerns about household finances, while students and education campaigners have called for better school conditions and increased investment.
The government faces the challenge of responding to these demands while managing pressure on public finances. France has also experienced growing political uncertainty as disagreements over spending priorities and economic policy continue.
The renewed mobilisation by Yellow Vest activists signals that dissatisfaction over living costs and public services remains a significant issue nearly eight years after the movement first emerged.
Macron said he would seek a detailed assessment from intelligence officials before the planned demonstrations. Lecornu has pledged stronger security arrangements, including a substantial police presence backed by military support.
The authorities face the task of protecting public safety while allowing peaceful demonstrations to proceed. Macron has emphasised that violence cannot be justified in a democracy.
The government’s response will be closely watched as protesters prepare to return to the streets on October 24.
Whether the planned demonstrations remain peaceful will depend on developments over the coming days, including the effectiveness of security preparations and the willingness of participants to avoid violence.
For now, France remains under pressure to address public grievances while preventing further clashes, looting and damage to businesses and public institutions.
