Brief
Macron condemns far‑left‑linked riots that left 2,400 arrested
The French president blamed radical far‑left groups and criminals as police reported thousands of arrests and injuries during the weekend unrest.
By Felo News Desk · Published
President Emmanuel Macron denounced "unrestrained violence" by "insurrectionist elements from radical far‑left groups, joined by numerous criminals" as France grappled with its worst rioting in years over the weekend, the Independent reported.
What happened
Riots erupted across major French cities, with demonstrators clashing with police, setting cars ablaze, storming public buildings and igniting a historic city hall. Authorities said roughly 2,400 people were arrested over the weekend and that thousands of businesses suffered damage or looting. The unrest coincided with large‑scale protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions, which had seen hundreds of thousands march peacefully.
What the reports add
The Independent noted that high‑school and university student groups called for further demonstrations on Thursday and Saturday, while a revived “yellow vest” activist bloc announced nationwide protests under the slogan “Macron must go.” Research professor Sebastian Roché of Sciences Po Grenoble compared the destruction to the first two weekends of December 2018, adding that police injuries from weapons were unprecedented in the past four decades, with six people maimed, including minors.
What was said
Macron’s statement, quoted by the Independent, condemned the violence as “unrestrained” and linked it to far‑left radicals and criminals. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu described the disorder as “organized in an unprecedented way.” Roché told the outlet that “there is no other country in Europe where the police maim protesters as much,” citing university databases that rank Spain a distant second.
How it came about
The latest unrest follows a pattern of French protests that have turned violent over the past decade, including the 2018 yellow‑vest movement and the 2023 killing of a 17‑year‑old outside Paris that sparked nationwide riots. French intelligence estimates the current movement involves around 3,000 participants across loosely organised factions, according to Roché.
Key facts
- Around 2,400 people were arrested during the weekend riots (independent.co.uk)
- President Macron blamed radical far‑left groups and criminals for the violence (independent.co.uk)
- Six people, including minors, were maimed by police weapons (independent.co.uk)
- High‑school and university student groups called for further demonstrations (independent.co.uk)
- French intelligence estimates the movement involves about 3,000 participants (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “How France’s worst rioting in years erupted and how the government responded”
