French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned what he called “unbridled” violence as cost-of-living protests triggered fresh clashes in Paris and other cities. The unrest has led to widespread damage, looting and confrontations between protesters and police.
According to France’s interior ministry, authorities arrested nearly 2,400 people on Saturday. Almost 1,000 police officers and gendarmes suffered injuries, including seven who were seriously hurt.
Addressing the nation, Macron said local authorities could ban certain rallies in the coming days “if necessary”. However, he stopped short of announcing a state of emergency or imposing a curfew.
“Tonight, we all feel anger and shame,” Macron said, describing the destruction caused during the demonstrations.
“Looking at these images, we all asked ourselves: what is going through their minds? How can French people do this to France?” he added.
Macron stressed the need to distinguish between demonstrators with “legitimate demands” and those responsible for destruction and looting. He also vowed an uncompromising response to what he described as violence by “agitators from ultra-left fringe groups, joined by numerous delinquents”.
Fresh Clashes and Looting Hit Paris and Lyon
Tensions continued in Paris on Sunday, where police used tear gas and stun grenades against hundreds of people gathered in a square. The gathering followed social media calls, although authorities said organisers had not obtained approval.
According to officials, protesters threw bottles and rocks at police, who made 108 arrests across the city. At least five shops were looted around Place de la République, while other central businesses suffered broken windows.
Authorities also advised many businesses to close amid concerns about further damage. Meanwhile, clashes erupted in Lyon, where police confronted youths attempting to loot a luxury clothing store.
The violence has damaged public buildings and commercial premises across the country. In Limoges, a fire destroyed the city’s 19th-century town hall, while a tourist office in central Lyon was also set ablaze.
Local prefect Maurice Barate described the people responsible for the Limoges fire as “a wild horde”. Authorities have also reported serious injuries during the unrest.
A 17-year-old boy lost his right hand after a crowd-control grenade exploded in Saint-Etienne. In Mulhouse, a 17-year-old girl lost an eye, according to prosecutors.
Cost-of-Living Anger Fuels Political Tensions
Saturday’s demonstrations brought together trade unions, the Yellow Vests movement and school students. The groups voiced anger over living costs and concerns about opportunities for young people.
The Yellow Vests movement previously challenged Macron during the early years of his presidency. Its participation in the latest demonstrations has added political significance to the unrest.
The clashes come months before France’s presidential election. Macron cannot seek another term, while National Rally candidate Marine Le Pen has been polling strongly.
Le Pen said the unrest showed that Macron’s administration was “running on fumes, exhausted and disoriented”. Meanwhile, Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the France Unbowed party and another presidential contender, warned of “events that will eventually become uncontrollable”.
Macron urged political parties to channel disagreements through democratic debate rather than street violence. He said “our country deserves a fine presidential election”, marked by debates “with the parties, rather than in the streets with violence”.
Trump Blames Immigration as Macron Promises Action
US President Donald Trump also commented on the unrest, blaming immigration for the violence in a social media post.
“France is burning! The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, Macron promised stronger coordination with local authorities to protect public buildings, businesses and urban areas. He also pledged support for affected businesses and “full transparency” regarding security forces’ response.
Some opposition politicians have called for Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to lose his position. Macron said he had asked Nunez to “draw all necessary lessons”, particularly concerning intelligence gathering and preparations for unrest.
The president added that he expected “clear answers” from officials.
France Faces Questions Over Security Response
The scale of the damage has intensified scrutiny of the authorities’ handling of the demonstrations. In Paris, residents faced the aftermath of burned barricades, damaged shops and widespread disruption.
“It’s like we had a war,” said 78-year-old Paris resident Mehmet Ozeden, describing the scene after Saturday’s protests.
Authorities now face pressure to restore order, protect businesses and clarify how the violence escalated. At the same time, the government must address concerns surrounding security operations and the injuries sustained during the clashes.
Macron has ruled out neither further restrictions on rallies nor additional security measures, although he has not announced a state of emergency. The coming days will test the government’s response as France confronts public anger, political divisions and the consequences of widespread violence.
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