Overview
- Protests that began with students and cost-of-living grievances on Saturday escalated into violent clashes, widespread vandalism, arson and looting that damaged thousands of shops.
- After that weekend's unrest, President Emmanuel Macron convened a Conseil de Défense and authorised prefects to ban demonstrations not organised by unions to reduce the risk of disorder.
- Authorities have reinforced policing with about 70,000 police and gendarmes plus military Sentinelle units, armoured vehicles and elite police teams to secure planned marches and city centres.
- More than 2,000 people were detained in relation to the disturbances and prosecutions are under way, while the national anti‑terror prosecutor (PNAT) has opened a separate probe into a suburban shooting that left one dead and four wounded.
- The measures have deepened political fights ahead of the 2027 presidential vote, prompted closures at major museums and events, and added pressure to France’s fragile public finances and market sentiment.