France: Macron authorises only demonstrations organised by trade unions. The ‘Yellow Vests’ will join the marches

Next Saturday, 24 October, demonstrations organised by people ‘who have no legitimacy’ will be banned ‘wherever possible’. This was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron this morning, 22 October, following a meeting of the National Security Council held at the Élysée Palace – which was also attended by the intelligence services. Consequently, only demonstrations organised by trade unions will be authorised. This is the approach the French government has decided to adopt in the coming days to tackle the emergency situation caused by the protests and the violence associated with them.

Macron has made it clear that, should the trade unions apply for permission to hold a demonstration, it will be up to the prefects to organise the rallies, and that ‘alternative routes’ will be proposed to protect town centres, businesses and public buildings.

The Yellow Vests’ coordinating committee will join the CGT march on Saturday 24th in Paris, from the Bastille to Nation. The committee itself announced this after the route proposed by the Yellow Vests, from the Bastille to the Opéra, had been banned by the Prefecture.

The French President has also announced that a Defence Council meeting will be convened tomorrow – Friday 23 October – under his authority, to take ‘further decisions’. It has also been confirmed that a meeting will take place on Monday 26 between Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and organisations representing “the high school students, university students, teachers, trade unions, employers’ organisations, local authorities and MPs” has also been confirmed. Meanwhile, Lecornu is preparing to meet with political parties and the mayors of Paris, Lyon and Marseille this afternoon.