French weekend protests to be limited to union demos only, says Macron

"The general recommendation is that there should be no demonstrations. Those who want to continue to demonstrate, when they are trade union organisations, will have alternative routes proposed by the prefects," the French president announced. "When they're not union organisations, wherever possible, they'll be banned."He attacked what he called "political and even seditious acts organised by far-left groups that aim to bring down the Republic". Curfews were imposed in several cities in the aftermath of the weekend rioting, and Macron said the government wanted a return to calm.The gilets jaunes (yellow-vest) movement was behind many of last weekend's protests and Paris authorities have said several of their proposed marches have been banned.In Lyon, France's third-biggest city, regional authorities have imposed a blanket ban on demonstrations."In light of the mobilisation that is circulating and in view of the events of 17 October, the prefect has decided to prohibit by decree any demonstration in the city of Lyon this Saturday," the Rhône prefecture said in a statement.Similar announcements have been made in Toulon on the south coast, the centre of Rouen in the north-west, and Grenoble in the east.Partial curfews variously restricting the movement of young people and gatherings have been in place this week in cities including Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon in the south as well as Lille and other towns in the north.