On the evening of 18 October, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation amid the riots and unrest into which the mass protests of 17 October had escalated.
On Saturday, demonstrations against the rising cost of living and higher prices took place across the country. Students and high-school pupils were joined by far-left activists, Yellow Vest supporters, trade union representatives and other groups. According to the authorities, around 550,000 people took part in the marches.
In several cities, the initially peaceful demonstrations turned violent: shops were smashed and looted, and public buildings, town halls and commercial premises were attacked and set on fire. Among the damaged sites were the town hall in Limoges and the tourist office in Lyon. Hundreds of police officers and gendarmes were injured (around a thousand according to the Interior Ministry, seven of them seriously), and nearly 2,400 people were arrested.
In his address, Macron directly blamed the disorder on “insurgents from far-left groups, joined by numerous delinquents.” He said:
“Yesterday, on Saturday 17 October, insurgents from far-left groups, joined by numerous delinquents, unleashed unbridled violence in our cities. Shops were looted; public buildings, commercial premises and town halls were attacked — and some of them destroyed. Several hundred police officers and gendarmes were injured.”
The president stressed that nothing justified or excused what had happened: “How can French people do this to France?” He urged people not to confuse the legitimate demands of hundreds of thousands of peaceful demonstrators with the actions of those who “destroyed, smashed and looted.”
Macron promised to be uncompromising toward the rioters: “Those who destroyed must pay. Those who lost money must compensate for the damage. Those who tried to overthrow the Republic will be held accountable.” He instructed prefects and mayors to ensure the protection of cities and buildings, including by banning certain gatherings if necessary, and called on all political parties and trade unions to condemn the violence and urge calm.
