Macron from Marseille: No need for a state of emergency for now despite protests
President Emmanuel Macron said in Marseille that he does not currently see a need to declare a state of emergency to deal with riots and violence linked to cost-of-living protests, adding that protest routes will be kept away from city centres to protect shops.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that there is currently no justification to declare a state of emergency in France to respond to the rioting and violence that accompanied some demonstrations, in remarks carried by Agence France-Presse.
Speaking from the city of Marseille, Macron said that routes for protests calling for measures to tackle the rising cost of living will remain outside city centres, with the stated aim of protecting shops and maintaining public calm.
The president stressed the need to "continue to hold firm" and for collective action, saying that if efforts are combined the intensity of this movement will ease because authorities will meet legitimate expectations and order will be restored.
Macron also insisted that resorting to a declaration of a state of emergency, which allows for expanded police powers, is not necessary at present, while acknowledging that the measure is not ruled out if needed later.
