French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a firm condemnation of the violence that marred nationwide cost-of-living protests this past weekend, declaring that "nothing justifies" the "unbridled" destruction witnessed. In an address to the nation on Sunday, the President expressed a sense of "anger and shame," while emphasizing the need to distinguish between citizens with "legitimate demands" and those who chose to "destroy, smash, and loot."
Addressing the rioters directly, Macron stated, "Those who have destroyed must pay," and affirmed that the government would remain "uncompromising" in its response. He described the scale of the violence as "unprecedented" and "unbearable," noting that witnessing the ransacking of city streets is a deeply distressing sight. To address the instability, the President pledged that senior officials would coordinate closely with mayors to ensure the protection of public buildings, businesses, and city centers, with promises of government support for those impacted by the chaos.
The protests, which initially emerged last month as a response to teacher shortages and inadequate school conditions, have since expanded into a broader movement against inequality, spending cuts, and the rising cost of living. While more than half a million people participated in peaceful marches on Saturday, violent factions took advantage of the unrest to loot shops and target infrastructure, including an arson attack that largely destroyed the historic town hall in Limoges. Further clashes were reported in Paris on Sunday, where police deployed tear gas at the Place de la Republique.
In light of criticisms regarding the adequacy of police preparations, Macron promised "full transparency" regarding the security forces' response. He confirmed that he has tasked Interior Minister Laurent Nunez with drawing "all necessary lessons" from the events, specifically regarding intelligence gathering and anticipation, while demanding "clear answers." According to the Interior Ministry, the weekend's events resulted in nearly 2,400 arrests. Furthermore, almost 1,000 police officers and gendarmes sustained injuries, with seven of those cases classified as serious.
