Lecornu meets unions after October 17 protest violence

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is meeting with five major trade unions Wednesday to discuss security at protests and responses for high school students, following violent scenes during the October 17 cost-of-living demonstrations. The CFDT and CGT unions criticized the exclusion of student organizations from the meeting, while Lecornu promised "initial announcements" for students early next week that Parliament could address in budget debates. The meeting covers "ways to guarantee the indispensable freedom to demonstrate," which some are "trying to pervert by associating it with unacceptable acts." Of 557 people held in custody after violence and looting in Paris, 300 have appeared before a magistrate, with none claiming any political motive, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, despite government accusations against the "ultra-left."