France is imposing curfews and preparing extra troops after some of its worst riots in years left officers injured, businesses looted and buildings burned.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets over the weekend. Demonstrations turned into clashes with police, arson and looting. Nearly 2,400 people were arrested and around 1,000 officers were injured. Hundreds of businesses were looted and buildings were torched, with damage estimated at hundreds of millions of euros.
The unrest began last month over teacher shortages and crumbling schools, then widened into nationwide protests over inequality, soaring living costs and cuts to public services. French authorities have largely blamed the violence on radical far-left groups and opportunistic criminals, without linking its organization to immigrants. The riots also spread from France to Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Albania.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has ordered curfews ahead of fresh protests. Gatherings are banned near Paris landmarks, including the Louvre and the Champs-Elysees, for three days. France plans to deploy 1,000 counterterrorism troops to reinforce police on Saturday, October 24. Lecornu is due to meet mayors of riot-hit cities on Thursday to coordinate efforts to prevent further violence.
President Emmanuel Macron made his remarks on Wednesday during a Middle East trip he refused to postpone. He said there had been foreign manipulation of information, which gave rise to unacceptable and stupid comments from many people, including foreign leaders. He said claims that France had been invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists were completely false. Asked whether he was referring to US President Donald Trump, Macron replied: "Among others."
Politicians across France's political spectrum blamed Macron and his government for undermining public services and failing to maintain order. His approval rating stands at a record-low 15%, with six months until the presidential election. Marine Le Pen leads first-round polling for April 2027 with 32-36% support.