The French Prime Minister has announced plans to make it illegal to take part in unauthorised demonstrations.
Edouard Philippe announced the move following weeks of Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vest) protests against the country’s President Emmanuel Macron.
Police have clashed with protesters regularly over the past two months – especially on the streets of Paris.
The protests began as a movement against planned fuel tax hikes – however, they have continued despite President Macron’s decision to reverse the increases.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe arriving at the Elysee Palace in Paris for the first weekly cabinet meeting of the year, 04-02-2018. Image: Henri Szwarc/ABACAPRESS.COM
Speaking on national television last night, Mr Philippe said he would introduce laws making it illegal to take part in undeclared protests – and for protesters to wear masks at demonstrations.
“We need to preserve the right to demonstrate in France and we must sanction those who want to infringe on this right to demonstrate,” he said.
“That is why the government favours updating the law in order to sanction those who do not respect this obligation to declare protests, those who take part in undeclared protests and those who arrive at protests with balaclavas.”
Vous êtes organisateur d’une manifestation : vous devez la déclarer. Il faut préserver la liberté de manifester en France et il faut sanctionner ceux qui ne respectent pas cette obligation simple. #Le20H pic.twitter.com/6acPjEq7ta
— Edouard Philippe (@EPhilippePM) January 7, 2019
He said he also aims to ban known "troublemakers" from taking part in demonstrations – similar to the legislation preventing football hooligans from attending matches.
He said there have been 5,600 arrests across France since the Gilets Jaunes protests began, with 1,000 convictions.
He said nearly 80,000 security service members will be on duty around France ahead of expected protests next Saturday – with 5,000 stationed in Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he poses for a photograph after the recording of his New Year's speech at the Elysee Palace, Paris, 31-12-2018. Image: AP Photo/Michel Euler
Many of the protesters have vowed to continue until President Macron has been removed from power – however this demand has been dismissed as undemocratic by the French government.
Yesterday, Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin said it was important to distinguish genuine protesters – who are calling for lower taxes and increased social welfare – from those who are “in the business of ultra-violence."
Mr Phillipe said France must change its methods to tackle those he said were seeking to “take advantage of the demonstrations.”
