Paris, Oct 2026 : French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday condemned what he described as “unbridled” violence during nationwide cost-of-living protests, as police clashed with demonstrators and looters in Paris and other cities. The unrest, which resulted in widespread destruction of public buildings and businesses, has intensified political tensions ahead of the country’s presidential election.
Nearly 2,400 people were arrested during Saturday’s violence, while almost 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven of them seriously, according to the Interior Ministry. The clashes were among the worst episodes of urban violence France had experienced in years.
Addressing the nation, Macron said local authorities could prohibit certain demonstrations in the coming days if necessary. However, he stopped short of announcing emergency measures such as a nationwide state of emergency or curfew.
“Tonight, we all feel anger and shame,” Macron said, referring to images of burning town halls, damaged buildings and businesses looted during the protests.
“Looking at these images, we all asked ourselves: what is going through their minds? How can French people do this to France?” he added.
The President stressed the need to distinguish between demonstrators raising legitimate concerns and those responsible for destruction and looting. He said the government would not tolerate violence allegedly perpetrated by far-left groups and criminal elements involved in the unrest.
Macron vowed that authorities would take a firm approach against those responsible, while promising support for affected businesses and greater transparency regarding the conduct of security forces.
Fresh Clashes in Paris and Lyon
Violence continued on Sunday as police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of people gathered in a Paris square following social media calls for an unauthorised rally.
Authorities said protesters threw bottles and rocks at officers, prompting further confrontations. Police made 108 arrests across the capital, while at least five shops around Place de la République were looted.
Several other businesses in central Paris suffered broken windows, and the city authorities advised numerous establishments to close amid concerns about further violence.
In Lyon, southeastern France, police confronted groups of youths who attempted to loot a luxury clothing store. A tourist office in the city centre was also set on fire during the unrest, amid reports of clashes and looting.
The destruction extended beyond major metropolitan centres. In Limoges, a fire destroyed the city’s 19th-century town hall. Local prefect Maurice Barate told French news channel LCI that the blaze had been deliberately started by what he described as a “wild horde”.
The violence also caused serious injuries. Prosecutors said a 17-year-old boy lost his right hand after a crowd-control grenade exploded in Saint-Etienne, while a 17-year-old girl in Mulhouse lost an eye.
Paris resident Mehmet Ozeden, 78, described the devastation as resembling a war, speaking to AFP near the remains of street barricades burned during Saturday’s clashes.
Political Opposition Targets Macron
The unrest has provided fresh ammunition to Macron’s political opponents, coming months before a presidential election in which the centrist leader cannot seek another term.
Marine Le Pen, the far-right National Rally leader and presidential candidate, criticised the government’s handling of the crisis, saying Macron’s administration was “running on fumes, exhausted and disoriented”.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the left-wing France Unbowed party and another presidential contender, warned that the country could be approaching developments that might eventually become uncontrollable.
Macron responded by calling for a democratic electoral campaign focused on political debate rather than street violence.
“Our country deserves a fine presidential election,” he said, urging parties to engage in discussions through democratic institutions instead of allowing confrontations to dominate public life.
Saturday’s demonstrations brought together trade unions, school students and members of the Yellow Vests movement, which had challenged Macron’s government during the early years of his presidency. The protesters expressed anger over the rising cost of living and concerns about opportunities for young people.
The demonstrations reflected broader economic and social grievances, although the scale of the violence and destruction prompted authorities to distinguish between peaceful dissent and criminal acts.
Government Promises Review of Security Response
Macron said senior officials would coordinate with mayors to protect towns, public buildings and commercial establishments. He also pledged assistance for businesses affected by looting and damage.
The President asked Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to draw the necessary lessons from the unrest, particularly regarding intelligence gathering and the authorities’ ability to anticipate violence. Macron said he expected clear answers, as opposition politicians called for the minister’s dismissal.
The response has also attracted international attention. US President Donald Trump weighed in on social media, blaming immigration for the disorder and claiming that France had been destabilised by people from different cultural backgrounds. His remarks added an international political dimension to a crisis rooted in domestic demonstrations and public anger.
With fresh clashes continuing and investigations into the destruction under way, the French government faces pressure to restore public order while addressing concerns about living costs and young people’s prospects. Macron’s administration must also demonstrate that security measures will be effective and proportionate as the country approaches a consequential election campaign.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
