Symbolic imageMacron rebukes Trump over riot comments as France braces for more protests
Macron called foreign leaders' comments on France's unrest "stupid" and vowed to stop a repeat of last weekend's violence. New protests are planned in Paris on Saturday.
Speaking in Qatar on Wednesday, 21 October, Macron accused foreign leaders of spreading disinformation after the riots of 17 October, calling their comments "as unacceptable as they were stupid". Asked whether he meant Donald Trump, who has blamed immigrants without providing evidence, he answered: "Among others." He said leaders in election campaigns were using France for their own political ends.
Curfews and reinforcements
A second night of local curfews passed without major incidents. Ministers promise a vastly reinforced operation on Saturday with troops and extra police, and Macron meets intelligence officials on Thursday. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said around 2,500 people were taken into custody after 17 October.
Strike and bond pressure
Unions will press ahead with a general strike on 5 November after talks with the government ended inconclusively. French 10-year bond yields hit 5%, the highest since July 2002.
EU disinformation probe
The Financial Times reports that EU regulators are examining the role of social media platforms in spreading disinformation and hate speech around the violence and looting, including pro-Kremlin content.