French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday (October 22) that "illegitimate" protests would be banned in coming days, while those from organised groups such as unions would be offered alternative paths for the marches to protect businesses.

Macron was speaking after meeting with intelligence officials and senior ministers earlier in the day to discuss the crisis.

He also said that "seditious" ultra-left groups as well as vandals were behind last Saturday's riots and looting across France.

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France's Macron says 'illegitimate' protests will be banned in coming days

VIDEO SHOWS: FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SPEAKING ABOUT SOUNDBITES ON SECURITY AHEAD OF NEW PROTESTS IN FRANCE

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 22, 2026) (AGENCY POOL - Access all)

1. FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SEATED FOR MEETING WITH INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Trade union organisations across the country will submit requests (for protest itineraries). They will be examined by the prefects in accordance with our laws, but alternative routes will be proposed to protect our city centres, particularly shops and public buildings. The rules are simple, and I think it’s simply common sense. The general recommendation is that there should be no demonstrations in the coming days. For those who want to continue demonstrating, when they are trade union organisations, the prefects will propose alternative routes. When they are not trade union organisations, wherever possible, we will ban demonstrations so that calm can be maintained, so that we can protect shops and public buildings.“

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

"Last Saturday (October 17) we saw, on the one hand, political and even seditious acts carried out by organised far-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic. Let’s be clear, that is what they themselves openly intend, with extreme dangerousness, great violence and planning. And alongside that, there were criminal acts, which we must also deal with with the utmost firmness, but which are not of the same nature.”

5. MACRON SEATED FOR MEETING WITH INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS