Macron Promises Transparency After Protests Across France
French President Emmanuel Macron promised transparency on Sunday after a weekend of nationwide protests over the cost of living. Hundreds of thousands demonstrated on Saturday, including students and trade union members. Although most protests were peaceful, some were accompanied by looting, fires and clashes with police.
France’s Interior Ministry reported approximately 2,000 arrests. Police officers, firefighters and demonstrators were injured. Macron said those responsible for destruction should pay for it and called for clear answers about why the unrest turned violent. Small business minister Serge Papin is due to meet company representatives on Monday to assess damage and consider assistance.
The government faces criticism over its response, with politicians on the left and far right calling for Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to resign. Macron blamed far-left splinter groups and other offenders for the violence. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also accused the “ultra-left” and alleged that France Unbowed and its presidential candidate, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, played a role.
Mélenchon attended Saturday’s protests and encouraged supporters to participate, but condemned looting and violence. He rejected the accusations against him, saying they were intended to weaken his presidential campaign. He also accused Macron of failing to address the grievances behind the demonstrations.
The unrest comes six months before France’s presidential election. Mélenchon, center-left candidate Raphaël Glucksmann and center-right candidate Edouard Philippe are competing for second place behind far-right frontrunner Marine Le Pen, according to the account. Philippe warned that the violence could harm France’s international standing. Le Pen acknowledged protesters’ economic concerns while criticizing the government and violent activists. Her National Rally party accused Macron’s government of presiding over chaos.
U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on the unrest, blaming immigration in a social media post. The account offered no evidence connecting immigration to the violence.