Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, on Sunday announced a firm response against rioters following an increase in violence during nationwide protests. These protests have primarily been initiated by students due to poor school conditions and excessive use of police force.
Macron's Response to the Violence
In a post on social media platform X, Macron declared his resolve to take tough measures against the unruly protesters and emphasized his solidarity against "rioters." He stated, "There is no place for violence in our Republic. Those who engage in destruction and attack government and business premises will be prosecuted and punished." He also supported law enforcement as the guarantor of the right to protest and stressed the need to stand firm against rioters.
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Statements from the Prime Minister of France
Meanwhile, Sébastien Lecornu, the Prime Minister of France, also condemned the escalating unrest. He emphasized the legitimacy of peaceful protests and stated that any acts of arson, looting, and attacks on public and private property would not be tolerated. Lecornu attributed the unrest to "cross-party" groups and opportunistic rioters, noting that this violence has been organized in several French cities.
The Prime Minister also rejected any attempts to exploit public discontent to change national leadership, asserting: "At a time when some seek to cast blame on our law enforcement, I want to tell the people of France that they can be proud of their police and gendarmes. They are facing violence head-on to protect our fellow citizens and deserve our support."
Emergency Measures and Inter-Organizational Coordination
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that emergency measures have been activated in the capital to control the unrest. In a post on social media platform X, he announced his presence at the city crisis unit and stated that he had gathered all mayors of the areas for coordinating urban services to meet existing needs. Nuñez emphasized: "Our absolute priority is the safety of the women and men of Paris, and I urge all citizens to remain calm and responsible."
These statements come as on Saturday, during nationwide protests against rising living costs, severe clashes occurred between security forces and protesters in Paris and several other French cities. According to reliable sources, these protests have been highly violent, leading to the loss of a protester's hand and multiple fires.
The recent unrest has deepened the political crisis in France, following weeks of student protests, with only six months remaining until the presidential elections. According to Nuñez, around 550,000 people participated in these protests across France, and police have arrested approximately 400 individuals. Riot forces have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters, and several vehicles were set on fire in the capital.
Destruction and looting have primarily been carried out by masked youths who have acted alongside the peaceful participants of the protests, including families.
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