France clamps down on protests after violence

He said the priority was a return to calm.Macron blamed "organised ultra-left groups aiming to bring down the republic" for the worst violence, accusing them of sedition.

He announced a defence council meeting for Friday (today) to decide the next steps ahead of nationwide demonstrations planned for Saturday.The clashes, looting and vandalism erupted on October 17, alongside demonstrations attended by more than half a million people protesting the surging cost of living.

The government has acknowledged that police lost control of the situation.In Paris, a student protest went ahead on Thursday after an emergency court injunction overturned a police ban.

Student leader Coppelia Moreau accused the authorities of trying to distinguish between "good" and "bad" protesters, arguing that the government's approach threatened the right to demonstrate.Authorities banned Saturday's protests in Marseille and Lyon, where last weekend's unrest caused extensive damage.

Lyon saw between 200 and 300 shops looted and a tourist office torched.

Restrictions were also imposed in city centres in Grenoble, Rouen, Le Havre and Toulon.The interior ministry said police deployment on Saturday would be 20% higher than last weekend.

In Paris, a planned march was permitted from Bastille in the east but barred from entering the city centre, prompting objections from organisers associated with the Yellow Vest movement and trade unions.French courts have swiftly handed out verdicts, including orders to serve jail time, in fast-track justice for rioters.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said 217 of the 2,700 people arrested during and since last weekend had been convicted and jailed, while another 1,000 were facing prosecution.Candidates seeking to succeed Macron in presidential elections have questioned the authorities' ability to restore order.

However, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu met representatives of major political parties on Thursday and is scheduled to meet student groups, unions and employers on Monday.

France clamps down on protests after violence AFP | Updated 11 minutes ago | Macron orders tighter security as cities ban rallies over rising living costs.