Macron calls for calm in France and warns rioting must not escalate

What the report says

French President Emmanuel Macron used a national television address from the Élysée Palace to urge calm after a day of protests across France escalated into rioting, looting and clashes with police. BBC World News reported that the unrest followed largely peaceful demonstrations over fuel prices, the cost of living and public services, before disorder spread in cities including Paris, Marseille, Lille, Lyon and Limoges.

Macron said there was a clear difference between protesters raising legitimate grievances and the people who damaged property, set fires and looted shops and public buildings. He warned against further escalation and said the violence would be dealt with through the justice system. The French interior ministry said roughly 2,400 people had been arrested and about 1,000 police officers were injured on Saturday, including seven seriously, according to the BBC report.

The disruption continued into Sunday, though on a smaller scale in some areas. In Paris and Lyon, police used tear gas and stun grenades as clashes resumed, while shopkeepers were seen clearing broken glass and debris. In Limoges, a fire set by rioters badly damaged the city hall, with part of the building collapsing. Macron said local officials would strengthen protection for shops and civic buildings and promised transparency over the police response. The unrest was described as one of the worst episodes of disorder in modern French history.