Macron takes direct control of law enforcement after protest violence

President Emmanuel Macron has taken direct control of law enforcement strategy following violent protests, announcing that only union-organized marches will be permitted on Saturday, October 24. Macron returned from a Middle East trip and convened an emergency security council on Thursday, October 22, after intelligence services failed to anticipate the October 17 unrest. He acknowledged "anticipation failures" and demanded "maximum harshness" against delinquency and "ultra-left" groups he accused of sedition. The intervention follows criticism from former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who said France "needs command" after Macron's initial response. The government is now restricting demonstrations to official union events to prevent further violence.