Riots erupted on October 17 during protests over living costs and education, with violence including arson, looting a McDonald’s, and attacks on buildings across Paris and other cities.
President Macron blamed seditious ultra-left groups and announced bans on non-union demonstrations, while the Justice Ministry ordered prosecutors to pursue penalties like loss of voting rights, demonstration bans, and social media restrictions for those convicted.
Over 2,000 arrests followed, with hundreds prosecuted and dozens jailed; critics question the balance between restoring order and civil liberties as more protests loom this weekend.
