Macron threatens to ban public gatherings as riots grip France

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Sunday he is prepared to ban public gatherings nationwide following a weekend of intense rioting that left cities burning, with government buildings torched and luxury shops ransacked. More than 2,300 rioters were arrested Saturday as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions turned violent, injuring nearly 1,000 police officers and killing one protester from cardiac arrest. Regional prefects will now impose immediate bans on certain gatherings to restore order. Macron faces political chaos ahead of next year's election, with opponents like Marine Le Pen blaming his leadership for the crisis. Historian Simon Schama suggests the anarchy may clinch the presidency for Le Pen, while Macron attributes the unrest to Middle East conflict-driven energy costs.