Macron announces ban on protests by groups lacking legitimate authority

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that demonstrations organized by "individuals or groups with no legitimate authority" will be banned, after recent unrest that he linked to ultra-left organisations. He made the comments while thousands of protesters gathered in Paris, ahead of larger rallies planned for the weekend.

"Last Saturday we had political and seditious acts by ultra-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic," Macron was quoted as saying after a meeting with intelligence officials.

Macron added that prefects will review requests from trade unions and, where approved, will propose alternative routes to protect city centres, businesses and public buildings. He described the approach as "simple" and "common sense" and urged that no demonstrations take place in the coming days, except for those redirected by authorities.

Local officials reported that businesses in central Paris are boarding up windows in anticipation of possible violence on Saturday, and that a protest in Lyon scheduled for that day has been prohibited. An administrative court in Paris recently overturned a police-imposed ban on a Thursday protest after organizers challenged it, though police had cited risks after masked youths clashed with officers, looted shops and set vehicles on fire over the weekend.

The unrest, which began in September with protests over education reform, has expanded into broader anti-government demonstrations, according to French officials. Police presence remained heavy during a peaceful gathering in southeastern Paris on Thursday, and authorities expect activists from the "yellow vest" movement and the CGT labour union to join a larger demonstration on Saturday.