// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
French weekend protests to be limited to union demos only, says Macron
The tourism office in Lyon was set on fire during protests last weekend, the city has banned all demonstrations this Saturday
Only authorised union protests will be allowed in French towns and cities on Saturday, President Emmanuel Macron has said, after demonstrations across the country turned violent last weekend.
Speaking as some cities including Lyon and Nice imposed complete bans, Macron said "illegitimate" protests would not be allowed but unions would be offered alternative routes so that businesses could be protected.
Big demonstrations against the high cost of living and school conditions were overshadowed last Saturday by riots and looting that saw business and historic buildings destroyed.
Interior Minister Jean-Didier Berger said police deployments would be increased by 20% compared to last weekend, after the government was accused of being blindsided by the scale of the unrest.
France's justice minister said on Thursday that 217 people had been jailed over last weekend's disorder after being convicted in fast-track trials, with that number expected to rise.
Gérald Darmanin said 2,700 people had been arrested across France and more than 1,000 have appeared in court.
Half of those detained had no prior criminal record, he said, according to Le Figaro newspaper.
Macron met intelligence services and ministers on Thursday, to prepare for the next national day of protests on Saturday.
"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."