French President Emmanuel Macron promised accountability after nationwide cost-of-living protests turned into rioting and looting. CNBC reported at least 1,800 arrests, and a political blame game is under way six months before the presidential election.
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed in a televised address on Sunday to hold accountable those who sought to bring down the Republic. He spoke a day after protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools turned violent across France.
According to CNBC, Macron said: "Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage". He blamed the violence on insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.
Arrest tallies reach 1,800 to 2,400 after a night of looting
CNBC reported at least 1,800 arrests. The Financial Times, citing the interior ministry, put the figure at close to 2,400 nationwide. Paris police said they arrested 855 people in the capital region.
Flames engulfed the City Hall in Limoges, causing its roof to collapse. In Marseille, protesters briefly forced their way into the City Hall lobby, and in Lyon a fire broke out inside a tourist office.
Authorities said about 550,000 people took part in the protests across France, while organizers put the figure at about 800,000. The Financial Times reported that nearly 1,000 police and firefighters were injured.
Political leaders trade blame
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the right to protest is fundamental, citing the looting of hundreds of businesses in cities including Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. However, the Marseille mayor said police had not been sent to protect buildings as requested.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu took aim at La France Insoumise and its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, saying the party had fomented the violence. Mélenchon hit back and said Lecornu was responsible for the chaos through incompetence.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen criticized Macron's centrist government in a video posted on social media.
Pressure builds on the government
The unrest comes six months ahead of an election to succeed Macron. The government is also trying to pass a budget for next year amid bond market jitters about France's ability to rein in its deficit, the Financial Times reported.
The mayors of Paris, Marseille and Lyon have requested a meeting with the prime minister in the coming days.
Sources: CNBC, Financial Times
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