Macron Condemns Violence After Nationwide Unrest in France Leads to Thousands of Arrests

Right-leaning outlets report that French President Emmanuel Macron faced sharp criticism as riots spread across France, citing a Le Figaro editorial aimed at him, the justice system and immigration policies, and his attendance at a Céline Dion concert the night before one of the most violent days in years.

All sides describe nationwide unrest in which public buildings were damaged, shops were looted and thousands were arrested. Reports give about 2,000 arrests, and the Guardian says at least 2,400, along with hundreds of shops destroyed and looted. Macron gave a national address, as the BBC and others note, calling for calm and order. He expressed anger and shame, condemned unbridled violence, and said those who looted or damaged government buildings would be held to account and made to pay. Left-leaning sources add that the protests were tied to rising living costs and poor school conditions, and that ministers, officials and police faced pressure over the response as the government held crisis talks. The sides differ mainly in emphasis: right-leaning outlets focus on criticism of Macron's conduct and policies, while left-leaning and alternative outlets focus on the violence and his official response.