Macron Condemns Riots in Address to the Nation, Orders Review
French President Emmanuel Macron sharply condemned the riots and looting that accompanied protests across France, ordered a review into how the events could have been prevented and said local authorities will be able to ban certain gatherings. He spoke in an address to the nation on Sunday evening, October 18, reported by Reuters and Le Figaro.
Macron said he had ordered a review to establish whether there were failures in intelligence gathering or in police preparedness ahead of the protests, which later descended into looting and violence. Prefects and mayors will be given the power to ban certain gatherings where necessary, he said.
"Nothing justifies this"
The address followed an emergency meeting at the Elysee Palace attended by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and the relevant ministers.
"Looking at those images, we all asked ourselves: how could French people do this to France? How could they come to this? Nothing justifies this, nothing explains this."
Macron expressed his "anger" and "shame" at seeing "the streets of our cities smashed like this". He told the government to draw "all necessary conclusions" so that such violence "never happens again". "I expect clear answers, and full transparency will be ensured," he said, addressing Interior Minister Laurent Nunez among others. Investigations into those who broke the law must be carried out "as thoroughly as possible and in the shortest time", he said.
Protesters and rioters
The president stressed the need to draw a clear line between lawbreakers and protesters who took to the streets to voice their demands. The latter must "in no case be equated with those who destroyed, smashed and looted", he said, adding that he understands the "deep anxiety" young people have expressed in recent weeks.
Macron also instructed the government to organise a meeting this week with students, teachers, lawmakers, trade union representatives and business leaders to formulate "concrete proposals" to resolve the crisis.
"All those who are telling you today that the most urgent task is to take to the streets, protest and create disorder have only one goal: to harm the republic and to replace the substance of the debate."
He added that France "deserves quality presidential elections", which will take place in six months.
Background
According to police and organisers, between 550,000 and 800,000 people took part in demonstrations across France on Saturday, October 17, against the high cost of living; in several cities the protests were accompanied by violence, looting and vandalism. Interior Minister Nunez said the number of people detained had risen to more than 2,000. US President Donald Trump linked the protests to migration and urged Paris to "close the borders". See also our politics section.