Macron Says Nothing Justifies the Violence as France Counts the Cost of Riots

President Emmanuel Macron told the French public on Sunday evening that nothing justified the violence that swept the country during Saturday’s cost-of-living protests, and he promised that those who looted and burned would answer for it, according to France 24 and Euronews.

The protests drew hundreds of thousands of students, union members and veterans of the yellow vest movement into the streets over prices, fuel costs and conditions in schools. Many marches began peacefully before giving way to looting and arson. Shops were ransacked in several cities, a tourist office was set on fire in Lyon, and the 19th-century town hall in Limoges was badly damaged by fire. Officials reported more than 2,000 arrests and hundreds of injured police officers and gendarmes, according to both outlets, whose exact counts differed.

In his address, Macron drew a line between protesters with what he called legitimate demands and those who used the marches to smash and steal. Euronews reported that he blamed insurrectionist elements of the radical far left joined by criminals, and France 24 reported that he promised an uncompromising response to ultra-left agitators. He said those who looted would have to pay for the damage.

Macron did not announce a state of emergency or new national security measures. He said local authorities would work with police and mayors to protect city centers, public buildings and stores, and France 24 reported that he said rallies could be banned locally if necessary. He also promised help for businesses that suffered losses and full transparency about how the police handled the day, and asked his interior minister to draw lessons, particularly on intelligence and anticipation.

The unrest was not over. On Sunday, police in Paris used tear gas against hundreds of people who gathered in response to calls on social media for an unauthorized rally, and several stores near the Place de la République were looted, France 24 reported.

The riots have quickly become a political contest ahead of next spring’s presidential election. Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate who leads in polls, accused the government of being too soft and said it was running on fumes. Macron urged politicians of all parties to condemn the violence and said France deserved an election decided by debate rather than in the streets. Some left-wing and Green groups criticized what they saw as excessive force by police, Euronews reported.

Supporters of a firm response argue that public order has to come first, and that much of the destruction fell on small shopkeepers rather than on the powerful. Protesters counter that the grievances behind the marches, from rising living costs to crowded and run-down schools, remain unaddressed, and that condemning the violence will not by itself answer them.

Macron was scheduled to travel to Kuwait on Monday, Euronews reported, leaving his government to manage the aftermath.