France has arrested nearly 2,400 people following unrest, thefts, and fires during protests over the cost of living. These events on Saturday have heightened tensions ahead of the 2027 presidential elections in France, as discontent over living costs has collided with severe government restrictions.
Details of the Unrest
In several cities on Saturday, clashes, fires, and thefts began. The French Ministry of the Interior reported that around 1,000 police officers were injured in these incidents. Paris police reported 855 arrests, describing this number as an unprecedented record. The prosecutor's office stated that 517 people remain in custody, of which 171 are minors. These figures are temporary, and the number of arrests continued into Sunday morning.
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Damages and Reactions
Most arrests in Paris were made on suspicion of dealing with stolen property, participating in groups intending to commit violence, and vandalism. In central France, rioters set fire to the historic town hall building in Limoges, causing severe damage. Guillaume Guérin, the mayor, strongly condemned the destruction, stating, "No words are enough to condemn what has happened; it is very horrific." He added, "The country is in chaos."
Officials also reported attacks on public buildings and shops in Marseille, Lyon, Avignon, and Grenoble. Police used tear gas, batons, and water cannons in several cities. There are also reports of protesters being injured in these incidents. Le Figaro reported that a 17-year-old in Saint-Étienne lost one of his hands due to an explosion of a grenade thrown by the police.
Response from the President and Politicians
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, addressed the nation regarding the protests, stating, "Nothing justifies this violence." He added, "Tonight, we feel anger and shame" and emphasized the need to differentiate between protesters with legitimate demands and those who "destroyed and looted." Macron also promised that there would be "full transparency" regarding the police's response to the protests.
Opposition politicians seeking to succeed Macron in the presidential elections in April and May also reacted to the unrest. Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate, accused the leftist rival Jean-Luc Mélenchon of "legitimizing violence." She promised to protect the French from "extreme left violence." Mélenchon, who had supported these protests and previous student protests, urged protesters to avoid looting, stating that this act is "against our methods."
These protests brought to light grievances regarding fuel prices, low wages, and issues faced by farmers and firefighters. Students also participated in these protests, demanding improvements in educational conditions. The French Ministry of the Interior reported the number of participants nationwide at 550,000, including 110,000 in Paris. The CGT labor union provided a higher estimate of 800,000.
The increase in debt and high budget deficits in France has limited the government's ability to respond to demands for additional spending. Online calls to revive the yellow vest movement have also added to government concerns that student protests may escalate into broader unrest. The yellow vest movement began in 2018 due to rising fuel taxes and evolved into wider protests over living costs and inequality.
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