In brief
A week of protests in France over rising living costs turned wild, with thousands looting stores and police using tear gas. President Macron called for calm, but critics point to political muddle. The Prime Minister is set to hold a crisis cabinet to assess the situation. Meanwhile, upcoming elections add pressure as unions, students, and political rivals weigh in on how to restore order and address France's economic woes.
France’s big demonstration against rising living costs turned chaotic Saturday, with thousands looting shops and police using tear gas and water cannons.
Around 1,500 businesses were hit, about a thousand officers were injured and seven police officers were taken seriously ill.
President Macron called for calm in a televised address, but his message was seen as vague and left many calling him a lame‑duck. Critics say he failed to explain concrete steps and blamed far‑left radicals.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will head a crisis cabinet meeting on Monday to figure out how to protect cities, compensate victims and prevent a repeat of the violence.
The unrest comes just months before France’s presidential election, with Marine Le‑Pen and Jean‑Luc Mélenchon already competing for the spotlight. Union leaders and student groups say their concerns – rising costs and weaker public services – were ignored.
Ahead of the next wave of protests on 5 November, France’s government is hoping for a calm period while schools break for half‑term. The political gridlock, high public debt and social tension look set to keep pressure on the cabinet.
