France braces for weekend unrest as unions plan protests despite government bans

France faces another weekend of unrest as businesses, museums, and cultural events plan closures despite government restrictions on demonstrations, following violent protests that erupted nationwide last week. President Emmanuel Macron has banned "illegitimate" protests and met with student representatives Friday, but the UNEF student union and Yellow Vest movement have scheduled Saturday rallies. The CFDT union criticized the curbs as counterproductive, while authorities banned all protests in Marseille and Lyon. France is grappling with budget cuts, high living costs, and deteriorating public services, with 2,700 arrests since Saturday. The far-right National Rally's meeting in Orleans faces counter-protests, and French debt risk premiums hit a 15-year high as Moody's prepares a ratings action.