Brief
Macron blames foreign leaders for politicising French riots
Macron claims unnamed overseas politicians are using AI‑fabricated footage of the unrest to further their own election campaigns.
By Felo News Desk · Published
French President Emmanuel Macron said foreign leaders are exploiting the riots that erupted across France on Saturday for their own electoral purposes, without naming specific individuals. The comments were made during a visit to Doha, Qatar, on 21 October, according to the BBC.
What happened
Riots broke out in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and other cities on Saturday, following weeks of student protests over high‑school conditions. Police reported that nearly 150 people have been jailed and more than 800 have been brought before the courts since the disturbances began. Video of clashes between masked rioters and police spread widely on social media.
What the reports add
The BBC notes that Macron described the foreign leaders as “in campaign mode, whether here in the region or on the other side of the Atlantic”. He suggested they were influenced by AI‑generated videos that misrepresented the riots. The report also mentions that the French government admitted police had “lost control” during the violence.
What was said
Macron told reporters in Doha: “For me, there is no visible foreign interference in the events that took place. On the other hand, there was foreign manipulation of information afterwards, yes, and that gave rise to unacceptable and stupid comments from many people, including foreign leaders.” The BBC attributes the quote to Macron.
How it came about
The unrest followed weeks of high‑school student demonstrations over living‑cost concerns, which Macron previously said were being exploited by political forces. Earlier coverage by Felo News linked the riots to his appearance at a Céline Dion concert in Nanterre and to the deployment of police units to protect his family’s macaron shop, highlighting the broader security challenges facing France.
Key facts
- Macron accused unnamed foreign leaders of exploiting the French riots for electoral gain. (bbc.co.uk)
- The riots began on Saturday and spread to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and other cities. (bbc.co.uk)
- Nearly 150 people have been jailed and over 800 brought before the courts since the unrest started. (bbc.co.uk)
- Macron said foreign manipulation of AI‑generated videos fueled false commentary about the riots. (bbc.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] bbc.co.uk — originally reported as “Macron accuses foreign leaders of exploiting French riots for political gain”
