French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned violent incidents in Paris and other French cities on Saturday, blaming what he described as “actions by far-left groups” who, alongside “numerous criminals”, unleashed “unrestrained violence”.
“Shops were looted, public buildings and town halls were attacked,” Macron said. “Seeing these images, we all wondered how French people could do this in France.” He added that “nothing justifies it, nothing explains it”.
Macron pledged government support for elected officials and business owners affected by the violence. He also expressed the nation’s support for police officers, who he said had “done the best they could”, and offered his condolences to those injured and their families.
The French president called on the government to draw “all the lessons” from Saturday’s violence, particularly regarding intelligence gathering, to ensure that similar incidents “never happen again”.
“Those who destroyed must pay. Those who looted must compensate their victims. Those who sought to harm the Republic will be held accountable,” he said.
However, Macron urged the public to distinguish between those responsible for destruction and demonstrators who took to the streets to voice their grievances. He acknowledged that concerns about the cost of living and rising fuel prices were legitimate.
“We must never confuse the latter with those who destroyed, vandalised and looted,” he said.
Macron Acknowledges Young People’s Concerns
Macron also acknowledged the “deep concern” that young people at secondary schools and universities had expressed in recent weeks.
He cited their anxieties about the future, living and studying conditions, career guidance and their place in society.
“Their voices must be heard without prejudice and without minimising their difficulties,” he said, adding that the government had begun working on these issues.
“Our responsibility is therefore twofold: to listen to anger and address its underlying causes, while firmly upholding the rule of law,” Macron said, urging citizens not to confuse legitimate demands with violence.
Macron Calls for Calm Ahead of Presidential Election
With presidential elections approaching in six months, Macron called on the French people to prioritise democratic dialogue.
“Everyone who tells you today that the urgent thing is to take to the streets, demonstrate and create disorder has only one goal: to harm democracy,” he said.
“Our country deserves a successful presidential election in six months,” Macron added, calling for “unity, calm and respect”.
He urged political parties, professional organisations and trade unions to unequivocally condemn all violence and call for calm.
“The country needs order and calm, not escalation,” he said.
Macron ended his remarks with a warning to those responsible for the violence.
“We will show no leniency. Listening and dialogue do not mean weakness or impunity,” he said.
2,397 Arrests and 997 Police Officers Injured
France’s Interior Ministry reported that authorities arrested 2,397 people across the country on Saturday during mass demonstrations against the high cost of living.
The protests descended into violent clashes, looting and widespread property damage.
According to the ministry’s updated figures, violence injured 997 police officers and gendarmes, seven of them seriously.
The figures underscore the scale of the unrest that prompted Macron to call for accountability while insisting that authorities must also address the economic and social concerns driving public anger.
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