French police have banned demonstrations in key areas of Paris as authorities prepare for further protests following some of the worst street unrest in years.

The restrictions, announced Thursday, cover several prominent locations in the French capital, including areas around the presidential palace, parliament, the Louvre Museum, the Champs-Élysées, Bastille Square and République Square. The ban is scheduled to remain in force from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Friday, according to French media reports.

The move follows violent demonstrations on Oct. 17, when protests over the rising cost of living, deteriorating public services and concerns about education funding escalated into clashes with police, looting and damage to public buildings in several French cities.

French authorities have reported thousands of arrests and widespread damage to businesses and public property. Nearly 1,000 police officers were reportedly injured during the unrest, while one protester died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Speaking during a visit to Qatar on Wednesday, Macron criticized foreign leaders who he said were using France’s unrest to advance their own political agendas.

Although he did not name US President Donald Trump directly, his remarks were widely interpreted as a rebuke of Trump, who has cited the violence in France to support his criticism of immigration and European policies ahead of the US midterm elections.

Macron condemned what he described as misleading claims about the unrest, including allegations that migrants and Muslims were responsible for the violence.

He also warned against the spread of disinformation and AI-generated images that could inflame tensions and distort public understanding of events.

French authorities have extended localized curfews and restrictions on public gatherings in Paris and other cities, including Lyon, as they seek to prevent renewed violence and looting.

The government is also preparing for further demonstrations scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, with officials promising a substantial security deployment. The Yellow Vests movement and student groups are among those preparing to mobilize, according to reports.

The unrest has placed additional pressure on Macron’s government, which is already grappling with economic concerns and public dissatisfaction over living costs and declining public services.

While authorities have condemned looting and attacks on police, the demonstrations have also highlighted broader social grievances that have drawn large numbers of people into the streets.

The government now faces the challenge of restoring public order while addressing the economic and social concerns driving the protests. Further demonstrations could test its ability to contain the unrest without deepening political divisions across France. (ILKHA)