Macron denounces France’s rioting, vows rioters will ‘pay for their crimes’

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed “anger and shame” over nationwide rioting and looting, as he addressed the nation on Sunday after some of the worst urban violence in France in years. Nearly 2,400 people were arrested on Saturday, with about 1,000 police and gendarmes injured, according to the Interior Ministry.

The violence erupted amid largely peaceful protests over rising fuel prices and the cost of living, but Macron drew a distinction between those with “legitimate demands” and “those who destroyed, smashed, and looted”. He promised that rioters and looters would “pay for their crimes” and pledged to launch a “crisis unit” to provide urgent aid to those in difficulty.

Macron echoed other government officials in blaming much of the violence on far-left activists, accusing them of attacking police and public buildings to foment chaos. He denounced “unrestrained violence” by “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.”

The violence spread across Paris, Marseille, Lille and other cities, with groups of rioters, some dressed in black and wearing masks, setting fire to cars and buildings. In Limoges, flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall, causing its roof to collapse. Tear gas and water cannon were used on crowds, and riot police were seen hitting people with batons in several places.

Reactions to Macron’s speech were sharply divided. Left-wing presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon said the government was “solely responsible” for the destruction and had failed to maintain public order. Far-right presidential hopeful Jordan Bardella called the speech “lamentable” and “cowardly”, saying the government “cannot even protect” the French people.

On Sunday, hundreds of protesters gathered again at Place de la République in Paris amid a heavy police presence. Paris police said 855 people were arrested in the capital region, and prosecutors said 557 remained in custody. One person died of a heart attack, and the Paris prosecutor’s office is investigating.

What happens next

Macron said there would be “full transparency” over the police response to the demonstrations. He instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses in the coming weeks, including by banning protests when necessary. Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler reported from Paris that Macron’s speech had “perhaps no surprises”, and questioned whether it would placate protesters.