French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation on Sunday, declaring that “nothing justifies” the “unbridled” violence that swept across France during nationwide cost-of-living protests, and vowing that “those who destroyed must pay.”

“Tonight, we all feel anger and shame,” Macron said in the televised address, distinguishing between protesters with “legitimate demands” and “those who destroyed, smashed, and looted.”

The unrest — some of the worst urban violence France has seen in years — saw nearly 2,400 people arrested on Saturday, almost 1,000 police and gendarmes injured, and fresh clashes erupt in Paris on Sunday.

What happened this weekend

Nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools drew an estimated 550,000 people across the country, according to authorities cited by the Times of India. But masked groups set fires, attacked public buildings including city halls, and looted hundreds of businesses in cities including Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux.

Flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall in Limoges, in central France, causing its roof to collapse and nearly destroying the building, according to The Hindu.

In Paris, hundreds of protesters gathered again on Sunday at the Place de la Republique amid a heavy police presence, following social media calls for a gathering authorities said had not been approved. Officers fired tear gas and stun grenades as bottles and rocks were hurled at police; at least five stores were looted around Republique square and police made 108 arrests across the city, according to the interior ministry figures reported by the South China Morning Post.

In Lyon, police battled youths who attempted to loot a luxury clothing store, AFP journalists reported.

Macron blames far-left “insurrectionist elements”

Macron echoed other government officials in blaming much of the violence on radical far-left activists, accusing them of attacking police and public buildings to foment chaos.

He denounced “unrestrained violence” by “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals,” and vowed the authorities would be “uncompromising” toward the “agitators from ultra-left fringe groups, joined by numerous delinquents” who “unleashed unbridled violence in our cities.”

“Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” Macron said, according to The Economic Times.

“Looking at these images, we all asked ourselves: what is going through their minds? How can French people do this to France?” he said, according to Channel News Asia.

Macron said he had instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses in the coming weeks, including by banning protests when necessary. He stopped short of announcing drastic measures such as a state of emergency or a curfew, the SCMP reported.

Two deaths reported, toll unconfirmed

The Times of India reported that the violence left two people dead — a police officer and a protester, in separate incidents — alongside hundreds of injuries. Major wire services, including AFP, had not confirmed a death toll at publication time; the interior ministry figures released through AFP cited nearly 2,400 arrests and almost 1,000 injured police and gendarmes, seven of them seriously.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez wrote on X that “the right to protest is a fundamental right. Deliberately and collectively sowing disorder through violence is not,” citing the looting of hundreds of businesses across the country, according to The Hindu.

Macron also promised “full transparency” over the response by security forces after criticism that police preparations had been inadequate, and said he had asked Nunez to “draw all necessary lessons,” particularly on intelligence gathering and anticipation, adding that he expected “clear answers,” AFP reported via GMA News.

What we know so far

• What: Nationwide cost-of-living protests, Saturday Oct 17 into Sunday Oct 18
• Turnout: ~550,000 people nationwide, per authorities
• Arrests: Nearly 2,400 on Saturday; 108 more in Paris on Sunday
• Injured: Almost 1,000 police and gendarmes, 7 seriously (interior ministry)
• Damage: Limoges City Hall nearly destroyed; hundreds of businesses looted or damaged
• Macron’s move: Televised address Sunday; vowed accountability; allowed protest bans “if necessary”; no state of emergency

FAQ

Why are people protesting in France?
The nationwide protests are aimed at the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services, including fuel prices and conditions in schools. An estimated 550,000 people took part on Saturday, according to authorities cited by the Times of India.

What did Macron say in his address?
Macron said the country felt “anger and shame,” declared “nothing justifies” the “unbridled” violence, blamed “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals,” and vowed that “those who destroyed must pay” and would be held accountable.

How many were arrested?
Nearly 2,400 people were arrested on Saturday, according to the interior ministry, with another 108 arrests in Paris on Sunday. Almost 1,000 police and gendarmes were injured on Saturday, seven seriously.

Were there deaths in the France protests?
The Times of India reported two deaths — a police officer and a protester, in separate incidents — but major wire services had not confirmed a death toll at publication time. This article will be updated as official figures emerge.

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Sources: Channel News Asia (AFP) · GMA News (AFP)