Macron pledges to prevent further violence as France prepares for new protests

Paris, France. President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Wednesday to stop further violence during demonstrations expected in the coming days, following last weekend’s unrest. He also rejected foreign leaders’ remarks about the disturbances, accusing some of circulating false information.

Saturday demonstrations and strike plans

UNEF, France’s largest student union, has urged supporters to rally again on Saturday. The Yellow Vest group has also submitted plans to march through central Paris that day. The movement became a significant anti-establishment force in 2018.

Meanwhile, talks with the government ended without a conclusive outcome, leaving little indication that efforts to reduce social tensions were succeeding. Unions said they would maintain their planned November 5 general strike against expensive living conditions and reductions in public services.

The preparations follow disturbances on October 17, when violence broke out on the edges of protests held across France. Among the country’s most severe episodes of urban unrest in years, the disorder shocked the public through both its scale and the apparent failure of police to bring it under control.

Security meeting and criticism of foreign leaders

Speaking to reporters while visiting Qatar, Macron said he would hold discussions on the crisis with intelligence officials and senior ministers on Thursday. His Qatar trip has included efforts to secure energy agreements as France faces increasing fuel prices.

“Those who want to cause disorder in city centres next Saturday will be prevented from doing so,” Macron said.

The president also accused foreign leaders of misrepresenting the unrest. US President Donald Trump has attributed the disturbances to immigrants and radical Islam without supplying evidence, and has presented the turbulence as a warning to Americans.

When questioned about whether his criticism included Trump, Macron confirmed that it did, while indicating that he was also referring to others. He said some politicians abroad were attempting to gain political advantage at France’s expense.

“There was foreign disinformation in the aftermath, which prompted comments that were as unacceptable as they were stupid from many people, including foreign leaders,” he said.

Borrowing costs climb

Investor unease has been reflected in a sharp increase in French government borrowing costs this week. Yields on benchmark 10-year bonds reached 5%, a level not seen since July 2002.