French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged “uncompromising” legal action against those involved in violent protests and looting across mainland France and its overseas territories, while announcing government initiatives to address concerns over the cost of living, rising fuel prices and young people’s prospects.
In a televised address on Sunday, October 18, Macron said peaceful demonstrators must not be confused with those responsible for violence and vandalism. He called for dialogue and concrete measures to address public grievances, while insisting that those who committed crimes would face legal consequences.
“Nothing justifies it. Nothing explains it. Nothing excuses it,” Macron said, condemning what he described as “unbridled violence”. “Towards rioters and anyone engaging in violence, we will be uncompromising. Listening and dialogue mean neither weakness nor impunity.”
Macron said he had instructed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to convene political parties, trade unions and professional organisations to demand clear public positions against violence and to discuss responses to the crisis. A structured dialogue involving students, teachers, lawmakers, trade union representatives and business leaders is also scheduled to begin this week to develop proposals addressing economic and social concerns.
Addressing rising fuel prices and the cost of living, which he linked to the conflict in the Persian Gulf, Macron said he would travel to Gulf states to discuss securing fuel and gas supplies. He added that the government was coordinating with fuel distributors to ensure efforts to stabilise supplies were reflected in prices.
“The government is doing everything possible to address this crucial issue of purchasing power, and I know the French people expect tangible results,” he said.
Macron also acknowledged the anxiety among high school and university students over their living conditions and prospects, saying their voices must be heard. He said the government had already begun work on possible solutions, including a platform that gathered more than 100,000 contributions and meetings across regional education authorities and high schools.
To support businesses affected by the unrest, Macron said the prime minister would chair a crisis unit to speed up financial assistance. Regional prefects would coordinate with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses, including banning gatherings where necessary.
He also asked Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to examine possible intelligence or police preparedness failures that may have contributed to the violence, with the aim of preventing similar incidents.
The president said the justice minister had instructed public prosecutors to pursue legal proceedings firmly. “Those who destroyed must pay, those who looted must reimburse, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will have to answer for it,” he said.
The unrest followed weeks of student-led rallies and nationwide demonstrations against rising inflation and fuel prices. Violent confrontations between security forces and demonstrators broke out in Paris and other regions on Saturday, with fires set at several locations and commercial outlets looted.
Reported incidents included the arson of the Limoges town hall, damage to Lyon’s tourist information centre and the storming of town halls in Marseille and Lille. In Paris, more than 300 demonstrators attempted to advance towards the Champs-Élysées, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas.
Macron’s address came amid reports that 1,800 people had been taken into custody following the violence. He also warned against political groups exploiting the protests ahead of France’s presidential election, which is six months away, arguing that political choices must be made through peaceful debate rather than disorder.
Concluding his address, Macron called for national unity and reiterated his commitment to dialogue alongside firm action against violence.
“Yes to dialogue, yes to concrete short-term responses,” he said, “but no—always no—to violence of any kind. We need unity, calm, and respect.”
(With agency inputs from ANI and Reuters)