Police have arrested more than 2,000 people across France after violent groups clashed with officers and looted shops during nationwide demonstrations.
“For now, more than 2,000 people have been taken into custody, and as of today, investigations are underway to identify the perpetrators of these acts so that they may be held accountable before the courts,” Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said in a statement on Sunday.
Demonstrations triggered by rising living costs and poor conditions in schools have drawn hundreds of thousands in the country.
Authorities said masked groups on Saturday set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities.
Historic Limoges City Hall was also engulfed in flames amid weeks-long widespread protests.
Mr Nuñez noted that while protests remain a fundamental human right, looting and violence are condemnable.
“Manifesting is a fundamental right. Sowing disorder with violence and in a concerted manner is not. Attacking our law enforcement forces, targeting our institutions, degrading public buildings, breaking into prefectures or town halls, and looting businesses: nothing can justify it,” he added.
According to the minister, more than 600 police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters had been injured amid these scenes of violence.
He said that while the casualty figures were, unfortunately, still provisional, the material damage was considerable, particularly for several hundred business owners.”
French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that “those who have broken in, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, and looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished.”
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