French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a televised address Sunday, condemning the intense urban violence that has gripped the country. Expressing “anger and shame,” he criticized protesters for attempting “to bring down the republic.” Macron vowed that those involved in the looting and destruction would “pay for their crimes,” following a weekend of unrest that marked some of the most severe volatility France has experienced in years.
Official figures from the Interior Ministry report that nearly 2,400 people were arrested on Saturday alone. The clashes also left approximately 1,000 police officers and gendarmes injured. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the president announced the establishment of a “crisis unit” aimed at delivering “urgent aid” to citizens affected by the turmoil. He emphasized that “lessons will be learned” from these events, promising a full government review to prevent similar escalations in the future. The president pledged to launch a “crisis unit” to provide “urgent aid … for those who are going through difficult moments”. “I’ve asked the government to provide all the lessons learned and to be able to anticipate it to make sure that this does not happen again,” Macron said, adding: “We need unity, we need calm and respect.”.
Addressing the conduct of security forces, Macron defended their professionalism while labeling the aggression they faced as “unprecedented.” He called for a renewed sense of national unity and respect, noting that a firm distinction must be drawn between individuals with “legitimate demands” and those engaged in criminal destruction. Despite these assurances, observers suggest the speech may struggle to find traction among those already disillusioned by presidential rhetoric. “We need to be clear: yesterday, our law enforcement officers and officials, despite their professionalism, were subjected to unprecedented violence in several cities,” he said. According to reporting from Paris, Natacha Butler, Macron’s speech had “perhaps no surprises”.
The ongoing unrest has intensified political friction ahead of upcoming presidential elections.
Left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon placed the blame squarely on the administration, asserting the government has “failed to organise the maintenance of public order” and remains responsible for the current state of chaos. Meanwhile, far-right hopeful Jordan Bardella characterized the president’s response as “lamentable” and “cowardly,” arguing that the government has abandoned its duty to protect the French public.
