Macron blames ‘seditious’ far left for unrest as France bans some protests

French authorities have barred demonstrations in several of the country’s largest cities, as President Emmanuel Macron blamed far-left groups for stoking violence during weekend protests . The Paris Police Prefecture announced that Thursday’s protests would be banned in key parts of the city until 8pm (18:00 GMT). That includes areas near the presidential Elysee Palace, both houses of parliament, the city’s main train stations, as well as parts of downtown where looting occurred over the weekend. A police source told the AFP news agency the ban was necessary due to organisers’ “inability to prevent violence and vandalism”. Elsewhere in France, authorities also prohibited protests planned for Thursday in Lyon, Lille and Grenoble.