France continues to restrict protests amid fears of renewed violence and chaos

France intends to maintain restrictions on demonstrations in city centers, with curfews continuing in more than 12 cities, fearing a repeat of the violence and looting that accompanied the cost-of-living protests. Authorities announced the arrest of 1,435 people and injuries to more than 150 protesters and 267 police officers. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Monday that France will continue to impose restrictions on large-scale protests over the cost of living, in order to avoid violent riots like those that occurred on October 17. The minister added to BFMTV: "To be very frank, the situation in the coming days will not be different from what we have seen so far." He noted that protests against the rising cost of living and demands for improved education were accompanied by violence and looting in several cities on October 17, with accusations that far-left activists infiltrated the demonstrations and exploited them to cause chaos. French authorities responded by imposing city-wide curfews and limiting the number of demonstrations earlier this week. The Interior Ministry said that the heavy police presence on Saturday prevented another wave of violence compared to the previous week, yet authorities arrested 1,435 people, while more than 150 protesters and 267 police officers were injured. French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit the city of Marseille today on an unannounced visit.