Macron bans 'illegitimate' protests as France tightens security after riots

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that "illegitimate" demonstrations will be banned in the coming days, following weekend riots that erupted alongside cost-of-living protests, marking some of France's worst street violence in years. The ban targets protests by individuals or groups without recognized authority, while trade union marches may proceed with altered routes. Macron blamed the violence on looters and "ultra far-left groups" seeking to destabilize the republic, emphasizing that restoring calm is the priority. Authorities have already banned Saturday protests in Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and Toulon, while Paris has restricted a planned march from entering the city center. Over 2,500 people have been arrested since the weekend. The unrest began last month at a high school in Créteil over staff shortages and dilapidated buildings, spreading nationwide into broader protests over soaring living costs. The demonstrations come six months before presidential elections to choose Macron's successor, with businesses in major cities boarding up windows in anticipation of further violence.