Nationwide protests over the cost of living turned violent across France on Saturday, with clashes, looting and arson prompting the government to face sharp questions about its handling of the unrest, and the interior minister offering his resignation, which President Emmanuel Macron refused.4,6,7
The demonstrations drew students, unions and members of the public who protested rising costs and high fuel prices, joined by workers, retirees, farmers and climate and anti-fascist activists, according to organisers' calls. France's CGT union put nationwide turnout at 500,000, while Breitbart estimated about 550,000 demonstrators. Politico described the crowds as hundreds of thousands. Thousands of people protested peacefully, but footage showed buildings being set on fire, shops looted and clashes with riot police.7,2,6
In Limoges, a group of hooded individuals forced entry to the city hall, which dates to 1883, and set it alight, according to Le Figaro as cited by Breitbart. Its tower collapsed as the fire spread through the mostly wooden frame, and the prefect of Haute-Vienne said the building was "largely lost." A municipal police car was burned in front of the town hall. In Lyon, rioters set fire to the tourism office during a demonstration of about 20,000 people, Breitbart reported. Looting was also reported in Nantes, Nice and Lille, and in Paris the Socialist mayor, Emmanuel Grégoire, said he was "very angry" and that "entire streets" had been "methodically ravaged."2
The Interior Ministry said on Sunday that nearly 2,400 people had been arrested and almost 1,000 police and gendarmes injured. Politico cited the latest interior ministry figures as some 2,000 arrests, and The Washington Times reported 1,800 arrests in its headline. Earlier in the weekend, Nuñez had put the number of arrests at around 400, mostly adults, and said at least 60 officers had been injured. The figures reported by the outlets differ, and the total has not been confirmed in the reports.7,4,6,8,2
On Monday, Nuñez said police across the country had "lost control" of the situation over the weekend. He said he had tendered his resignation "because I felt responsible for everything that happened." The Élysée Palace said Macron had condemned "failures in anticipation and intelligence" by French authorities but had refused the resignation. Macron instructed Nuñez to "take all necessary steps to ensure transparency over the failures in planning and intelligence that led to the violence," according to a statement from his office, and to put in place new operational methods for security forces.7,4
The government has also placed blame for the violence on far-left groups. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu pointed to "ultra-left groups" behind the demonstrations, saying they had "organised violence in several French cities." Politico reported that Lecornu alleged the France Unbowed movement and its presidential candidate, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, had played an "important role" within a "far-left network" driving the unrest. Lecornu said: "Peaceful demonstrations have their rightful place in our Republic. Arson, looting, and attacks have no place whatsoever."2,6
Addressing the nation on Sunday, Macron said: "Those who destroyed must pay; those who looted must reimburse." He said he was awaiting "clear answers" on why the protests turned violent and accused "troublemakers from far-left splinter groups, joined by numerous delinquents" of engaging in "unbridled violence." Breitbart quoted him saying those who attacked prefectures and town halls "will be prosecuted and punished."6,2
Mélenchon attended Saturday's protests in Paris and encouraged supporters to take part while condemning looting and violence, Politico reported. He said accusations that he was responsible for the disorder were aimed at weakening his presidential bid, and he accused Macron of "letting the situation deteriorate" without offering solutions. Mélenchon has also criticised media coverage of the unrest, stressing that most demonstrations had been peaceful, according to Deutsche Welle. Benoit Payan, the left-wing mayor of Marseille, told BFMTV that "it is unacceptable to use this type of claim to enter, break and destroy the foundations that unite us as a nation."6,7
Marine Le Pen, the far-right National Rally leader and frontrunner in next year's presidential election, said that "legitimate social demands have once again been held hostage by the far left and the speeches of Jean-Luc Mélenchon's deputies." Édouard Philippe, a centre-right presidential candidate, said: "These images of violence have consequences that extend far beyond our borders." Politico reported that the Paris opposition and members of the far right had called for Nuñez to resign.2,6
With the U.S. midterm elections set for Nov. 3, President Donald Trump drew on the violence in a post on Truth Social. "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 wrote, according to Politico.6
The protest movement began last month as a small demonstration over teacher shortages at a school in the Créteil suburb of Paris, Breitbart reported. Organisers hoped to revive the momentum of the 2018-2019 Yellow Vest movement, which challenged Macron during his first term. The protests come about six months before the country elects his successor. For the weekend, the Interior Ministry said 60,000 police and gendarmes had been mobilised, including 5,000 in Paris, after an earlier figure of 10,000 nationwide had been reported and then corrected.2,7
Lecornu called for some local municipalities to impose "very limited" and "localized" curfews to curb further unrest, and said he would not rule out a state of emergency. After a crisis meeting on Monday, he said: "I am absolutely determined to restore order." The Marseille authorities banned all gatherings and demonstrations from noon to 8 p.m. on Monday. Lecornu said there were no plans to cancel Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League home match against Barcelona on Tuesday night. Students blocked the entrance to the Louvre, and unions said the museum would remain closed.7
Serge Papin, France's minister for small business, is due to meet company representatives at the Ministry of Economy on Tuesday to assess the damage and suggest assistance for affected businesses, Politico reported. Breitbart reported that Lecornu backed legislation that would make those involved in rioting pay for damage, whether or not they personally took part in the destruction. In a statement, Lecornu said: "Public money is scarce: it must fund our public services, not endlessly repair what vandals destroy. It is up to them to bear the cost." Nuñez was expected to visit Marseille later on Monday.6,2,7
Asked about the possibility of a state of emergency, Lecornu said that "as things stand" the issue of curfews "seems better suited to the situation we may be facing," and added: "If needed, I will do it."7