French government spokesperson Olivier Veran has said that some protestors on May 1 attended demonstrations with the intention of killing police officers. Speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting this morning, he said that as well as "demonstrators who come to freely demonstrate, a certain number of people do not come to protest but to break up and now even to kill police officers". He also said that a police officer who had suffered serious burns after being hit by a molotov cocktail in Paris had been hospitalised.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti has said that the government is considering introducing legislation which would make building barricades a criminal offence. Speaking to French media today he said that he is going to meet Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Friday to discuss possible measures.
French economy minister Bruno Le Maire has said that the government plans to extend the "anti-inflation quarter" measures beyond their current expiry date of 15 June. The measures, under which supermaRket distributors agree to offer lower prices on a selection of items, were launched on 15 March to help consumers with the cost of living. Speaking to French media, he said that he is planning another meeting with manufacturers next week to try to ensure that reductions in wholesale prices are passed on to consumers.
Toulon has a new mayor. Josee Massi has been appointed to the post after a decision by a court on the ineligibility of former mayor Hubert Falco. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi offered his congratulations, wishing her "full success in her new role".</
