MARSEILLE: French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Monday that protests across France could pose renewed security risks on Saturday, October 31, as authorities prepared for further demonstrations.
“We know that next Saturday is still a high-risk day,” Macron told reporters during a visit to Marseille. He confirmed that trade unions planned nationwide mobilisation on November 5.
Further Saturday demonstrations could follow. Macron pledged to protect residents, businesses and city centres while maintaining public order. He argued that repeated unrest was not inevitable.
The president also urged his government to address the concerns driving the demonstrations. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was due to meet representatives of the high school community on Monday.
Macron promised announcements and immediate initiatives following those discussions. Government officials also intend to engage trade unions and employers’ organisations.
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Macron acknowledged shortcomings in the security response to the October 17 protests, when violence and looting affected several areas.
He said authorities had underestimated the early mobilisation of far-left groups and had not anticipated that people would commit criminal offences.
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Consequently, he acknowledged that police deployments fell short of what the situation required. Macron defended the government’s decision to maintain public order without declaring a state of emergency.
He insisted that authorities would continue enforcing the law. The president also criticised social media, arguing that online content encouraged polarisation and drew people towards locations where violence occurred.
