French PM accuses far-left of plotting insurrection as protests escalate

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused far-left radical groups of planning an "insurrection" behind violent weekend protests over the cost of living, and banned marches targeting government buildings. During a tense parliamentary session, Lecornu condemned the orchestration of an insurrectional plan by far-left factions, stating authorities would not tolerate marches on the Élysée or Matignon. He announced a massive police mobilization, including army support, for upcoming protests, and credited weekend curfews with maintaining peace. The protests, which began as a student movement in September over school conditions, have escalated into broader unrest. Nearly 500,000 people demonstrated, with around 3,000 stores affected, 2,400 arrests, and nearly 1,000 police injured. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence, while Lecornu linked the unrest to political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 presidential election.