One Turn
Macron condemns violence after France's worst unrest in years
Nationwide protests over school conditions and the cost of living drew hundreds of thousands on Saturday, with looting, arson and town hall break-ins in Paris, Marseille, Lille and other cities, and the Limoges town hall destroyed by fire. Reported arrests ranged from about 1,800 to nearly 2,400, one demonstrator died, and fresh clashes hit Paris on Sunday. In a national address Macron vowed accountability and transparency over policing but did not declare a state of emergency; Donald Trump blamed immigration.
Why it matters
The unrest, which damaged around 1,500 businesses, piles pressure on France's government six months before a presidential election.
Background
Protests began among school students over conditions in education and widened as 'yellow vest' activists joined over fuel and living costs. Inflation in Europe has been driven partly by energy prices linked to the US-Iran war. Macron cannot run again, and the far right's Marine Le Pen is seen as a frontrunner.
The story so far
- Macron condemns violence after France's worst unrest in years
- France imposes partial curfews after weekend of riots and looting
- France extends curfews and plans large police deployment for new protests
- France extends curfews and plans large deployment ahead of new protests
- France bans protests in Lyon and Marseille as Macron limits marches to unions
- France deploys 70,000 police and closes Louvre before protests
- French protests continue; Macron promises measures
- French student protests continue; Senate weighs riot damage bill
- France and Italy brace for youth protests
- Youth cost-of-living protests spread across Europe
- About 320,000 join third weekend of French protests; demonstrations spread to Germany
- France sees third weekend of protests; attempted murder probe opened
- Hundreds of thousands protest across France over living costs
- Hundreds of thousands strike in France as protests continue
- Fourth weekend of protests in France
- France moves up minimum wage rise after protests
Sources
- Al Jazeera ↗Oct 18, 4:19 PM ET
- The Guardian ↗Oct 18, 2:57 PM ET
- France 24 ↗Oct 18, 12:11 PM ET
This summary was written automatically from the reporting linked above; follow the sources for the full story. How One Turn works.