Macron calls for calm in France and warns rioting must not escalate
Macron urges restraint after protests across France descend into violence
Ninoda.com – French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for “calm and order” after mass demonstrations over fuel costs, living standards and public services were followed by widespread rioting, arson and looting in several cities.
Speaking from the Élysée Palace after chairing an inter-ministerial crisis meeting, Macron said public anger could not excuse the destruction that unfolded on Saturday. He called on those involved in unrest not to intensify the violence as smaller clashes continued in Paris and Lyon on Sunday.
“We all feel anger and shame.”
About 550,000 people joined demonstrations that were, for the most part, peaceful. Protesters voiced concern over rising fuel prices, pressure on household budgets and what they see as declining public services, including schools. Macron acknowledged that many grievances were legitimate, but said they must be separated from the actions of people who damaged property, attacked buildings and looted businesses.
“Nothing justifies” the “unbridled” violence, Macron said, adding that those responsible would be brought before the justice system.
Thousands detained as disorder spreads
France’s interior ministry said roughly 2,400 people had been arrested. Groups of masked rioters, some dressed in black, appeared in Paris, Marseille and other towns and cities. Vehicles and buildings were set alight, while shops and public premises were targeted.
The disruption continued into Sunday, although on a reduced scale in parts of the capital and in Lyon. Police used tear gas and stun grenades against hundreds of people in Paris, while officers again faced bottles and stones thrown from crowds.
The weekend left cities dealing with a significant clean-up operation. In Paris, shopkeepers swept up large pieces of broken glass early on Sunday as rubbish crews removed debris from major streets. Burned-out cars, smashed storefronts and damaged public spaces were visible in several areas.
Looting was reported in Paris, Marseille and Lille, alongside incidents in other parts of the country. Macron said local prefects and mayors would prepare measures intended to strengthen protection for shops and civic buildings.
Limoges town hall badly damaged by fire
One of the most striking consequences of the violence was in Limoges, where the city’s ornate 19th Century town hall was severely damaged after a fire was started on Saturday. Part of the building collapsed as the blaze spread, bringing down sections of the roof and clock tower. Local officials said the town hall was “largely lost”.
Residents who gathered near the ruined building on Sunday expressed grief at the damage to a landmark that belongs to the wider community.
“This is very upsetting. Harming heritage buildings just because you are angry at the government is selfish, I think. It’s hurting everybody,” Annèyse said.
“It’s awful and unbelievable,” said Gerrard. “We are very sad and I think it will be a long time to put it back as it was before.”
The destruction in Limoges underlined the wider impact of the unrest beyond the immediate political dispute. Public buildings, local businesses and historic landmarks can take years to repair, while the costs are shared by communities already concerned about public services and economic pressure.
Questions over policing and political response
Macron also promised “full transparency” over the police response to the demonstrations. Security forces used tear gas and water cannon over the weekend, and riot police were seen striking people with batons in several locations.
Nearly 1,000 police officers were injured on Saturday, including seven seriously, the interior ministry said. The scale of those injuries has intensified debate over how authorities should respond when large lawful demonstrations are joined by groups seeking confrontation.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said protesting is a fundamental right, but argued that several thousand far-left individuals had committed serious acts and deliberately sought to attack public buildings and confront police. He said they were later joined by people who looted and ransacked businesses in multiple French cities.
That interpretation was sharply challenged by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the hard-left La France Insoumise party. He criticised Nuñez and police chiefs on social media, accusing them of mishandling the demonstrations and describing them as “specialists in organised chaos”.
Marine Le Pen, who leads the hard-right National Rally party, condemned what she called the exploitation of public anger by political forces that encourage violence.
A tense moment before the April election
The protests began last month among students before expanding significantly on Saturday, when trade union members and other anti-government groups joined. Their growth reflects broad frustration around affordability and the condition of public services, while the violence has added a new and divisive dimension to the political debate.
The unrest comes as France approaches an election in April that could place the hard-right and hard-left in direct competition. The contrasting reactions from political leaders have highlighted deep divisions over policing, protest rights, economic hardship and the limits of public order.
For Macron, the immediate task is to contain further disorder while addressing the concerns that drew hundreds of thousands of people into the streets. His message sought to draw a clear boundary: citizens may demonstrate and press their demands, but violence against people, businesses and shared civic institutions will not be accepted.
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