Macron Condemns Riots as 2,400 Arrested in France Protests

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation on Sunday following widespread riots and looting during protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions. Macron expressed the public’s “anger” and “shame” over the violence, stating, “Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable.”

According to the French Ministry of the Interior, at least 2,400 people were arrested nationwide. The unrest, which began with marches on Saturday, escalated into clashes with police and significant property damage in several cities.

Damage and Arrests

The violence resulted in substantial destruction, particularly in Limoges, where the 19th-century City Hall was set on fire. Haute-Vienne prefect Maurice Barate stated that “radical troublemakers” broke into the building while officials and the public were inside, causing the roof to collapse. “They deliberately set the building on fire. It is an extremely serious and unspeakable act,” Barate said.

In Paris, authorities reported 855 arrests in the capital region, with 557 people remaining in police custody. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire described the damage as “considerable and unprecedented.” The Paris prosecutor’s office is investigating the death of one person who suffered a heart attack during the unrest.

Injuries were also reported among protesters and police. The Mulhouse prosecutor’s office opened an investigation after a 17-year-old girl lost an eye, and another investigation was launched after a young protester lost a hand in Saint-Etienne. The French Ministry of the Interior stated that approximately 1,000 police officers were injured on Saturday, seven of whom were seriously injured.

Political Reactions

Political leaders exchanged blame ahead of the presidential election. Macron blamed “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals” for the violence. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez wrote on X, “The right to protest is a fundamental right. Deliberately and collectively sowing disorder through violence is not.”

Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu of “playing with fire,” alleging that the government’s approach united youths and workers’ unions. Mélenchon, who participated in the Paris march, stated, “my message is clear: those who share our fight have no business in looting or destruction.”

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen criticized Macron’s government as “exhausted, disoriented and seemingly incapable of doing anything other than commenting on its own powerlessness.” U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “France is burning!” linking the unrest to immigration, a claim not supported by French authorities.

Protest Scale and Context

Authorities estimated Saturday’s turnout at about 550,000, while organizers claimed 800,000 participants. The protests were called by labor unions and student organizations, aiming to revive the “yellow vest” movement from 2018. Macron instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses, including banning protests when necessary.

Why it matters

The scale of the unrest and the number of arrests approach records set during the 2018 yellow vest protests, signaling deep social discontent. The political fallout, with far-left and far-right leaders blaming the government, complicates the landscape ahead of the presidential election. The destruction of historic public buildings and injuries to civilians and police highlight the severity of the breakdown in public order.

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Sources

• ctvnews.ca: France erupts: Riots, looting and mass arrests
• bbc.com (in Chinese): Riots across France: 19th-century historic building destroyed; politicians' statements reflect divisions - BBC News Chinese

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.