French President Emmanuel Macron blamed “far-left extremists” for the violence unleashed by protests against the rising cost of living. In turn, the French president showed his support for the police and merchants and stressed that those who caused damage in Saturday’s protests “have to pay.” “I am addressing you because extremists from an ultra-left group looted shops and destroyed public buildings. We all feel anger and shame,” Macron said.
“Yesterday, the agents were subjected to unprecedented violence. The investigations (of the culprits) will be carried out with the utmost firmness,” added the French leader. “Those who have destroyed must pay, those who tried to overthrow the Republic will be held accountable,” said the President of France after the damage that degenerated into destruction of buildings and public furniture, as well as looting in businesses in multiple municipalities throughout the country.
Macron urges condemnation of violence: “France needs order”
French President Emmanuel Macron has asked political parties and unions to condemn “unambiguously” the violent acts recorded during the protests and stated that France “needs order” and not an escalation of tensions. “I call on all political parties to condemn all forms of violence. The country needs order, not escalation,” Macron said in a statement, in which he warned that authorities may prohibit certain gatherings.
The president assured that the security forces will act firmly against those responsible for the riots. Macron also announced that local authorities will work starting this week on concrete solutions to respond to the unrest of young people. “We cannot ask our youth to believe in their future without sitting at the table,” said the French leader.
Macron acknowledges that violence was underestimated
Macron also acknowledged that police intelligence services underestimated the violence of the day of protests. The French leader explained that he has asked the Executive to “draw all the lessons in terms of information and anticipation so that this does not happen again.” In addition, he has described as “exemplary” the more than 2,000 arrests carried out by the agents.
