French PM Outlines Tougher Penalties for Yellow Vests Violence

Philippe says protesters will pay for the damages they cause
New measures to resemble those used against football hooligans

Yellow Vest protesters clash with police in Toulouse, France, on Jan. 5Photographer: Pascal Pavani/AFP via Getty Images

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By James Regan and Carol Matlack

January 7, 2019 at 2:12 PM UTC

Updated on

January 7, 2019 at 8:23 PM UTC

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French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Monday said the government will take new measures to deter violence against police and damage to property after an eighth consecutive Saturday of Yellow Vests protests.

The protesters will face tougher penalties for taking part in undeclared demonstrations, covering their faces, and would be required to pay for the damage they cause, Philippe said on France’s TF1 television. More than 80,000 police officers will be mobilized nationwide for an expected fresh round of protests next Saturday, he said.