Macron vows to prevent further violence in France
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
Emmanuel Macron promises to prevent further violence during demonstrations planned in France and calls foreign criticism of the unrest “stupid” and “unacceptable”. The French president is due to meet intelligence officials and ministers on Thursday, as rallies are announced for Saturday in Paris, reports the Sowetan.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday promised to prevent further violence during demonstrations planned for Saturday in Paris and other cities, following unrest on 17 October. “Those who want to cause disorder in city centres next Saturday will be prevented from doing so,” he said during a visit to Qatar.
The National Union of Students of France has called for further rallies, while the Yellow Vests movement has applied to hold a march in central Paris. Macron is due to bring together intelligence officials and several ministers on Thursday to discuss the crisis, according to the French presidency.
The president also condemned comments by foreign leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who blamed the violence on immigration and radical Islam without providing evidence. Macron described the remarks as “stupid” and “unacceptable”, saying some officials were seeking to gain political advantage from the unrest.
Social unrest is set to continue, with unions announcing a general strike on 5 November to protest against the cost of living and cuts to public services. Yields on French 10-year bonds reached 5%, their highest level since July 2002, as investors fear the violence could complicate the restoration of public finances.
The promise follows Macron’s commitments to transparency over the police response to the violence on 18 October and his call for new policing methods on 19 October. It comes after his pledge to prosecute those responsible for the violence, announced on 17 October.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
