Macron says nothing justifies rioting and looting in Sunday address
French President Emmanuel Macron said on TV on Sunday that nothing justifies the riots and looting that hit France a day earlier, the BBC and Euronews reported. "We all feel anger and shame," he said, the BBC said. He said that those who "sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable," Euronews said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a televised address on Sunday that nothing justifies the violence after Saturday's protests turned into rioting and looting across France, the BBC and Euronews reported. "We all feel anger and shame," Macron said from the Élysée Palace in Paris, the BBC reported.
"Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable," Macron said, according to Euronews. He blamed "insurrectionist elements from the radical far left, joined by numerous criminals," Euronews reported. He urged people to tell protesters' "legitimate demands" apart from "those who destroyed, smashed and looted," the BBC reported.
Macron did not announce new security measures, Euronews reported. Local prefects and mayors will work together to protect shops and buildings, he said, according to the BBC. Euronews reported that he said local authorities would work with police to protect "our cities, our public buildings and our stores." He promised "full transparency" over the police response, the BBC reported.
About 550,000 people joined Saturday's mostly peaceful protests over fuel prices, the cost of living and public services, including schools, the BBC reported. In an updated count on Sunday, France's interior ministry said 2,397 people were arrested and 997 police officers and gendarmes were hurt on Saturday, seven of them seriously. The BBC reported about 2,400 arrests and about 1,000 officers hurt. Euronews reported earlier official figures of more than 2,000 arrests and over 600 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters hurt.
A historic town hall in Limoges was engulfed in flames, Euronews reported. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who leads polls ahead of next April's presidential election, accused Macron of being too soft, Euronews reported. Progressive and Green groups criticized what they saw as excessive police force, it reported. Macron is due to travel to Kuwait on Monday, Euronews reported.
What we know: Macron condemned Saturday's rioting and looting and said those responsible would face consequences.
What we don't: What reviews of the police response will find, and who will pay for the damage.
Where outlets agree The BBC and Euronews report that Macron said in a televised address on Sunday that nothing justified the violence and that those behind it would face consequences.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.