French President Emmanuel Macron announced on October 22, 2026, a ban on "illegitimate" demonstrations after weeks of escalating unrest across France that caused an estimated 1.2 billion euros in damages. This decision followed widespread violence, looting, and vandalism on October 17, 2026, which originated from student-led protests that grew into a national movement.

This policy fundamentally shifts the state's approach to public assembly, potentially limiting protest rights for groups not officially recognized. France continues to face ongoing economic pressures and civil unrest.

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