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Macron condemns violence in protests and promises punishments

After violent protests in France, Emmanuel Macron declared that "nothing justifies" the violence and announced measures to punish those responsible.

18 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the acts of violence that occurred during protests last Saturday, stating that "nothing justifies" the violence that erupted in various cities across the country. The statement came after a day marked by looting, vandalism, and clashes with security forces. According to police, the protests resulted in a "record number" of arrests and damages estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros.

Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu also commented on the situation, reiterating that peaceful demonstrations should be part of democracy, while violent actions such as arson and looting are completely out of place. He emphasized the difference between legitimate expressions of protest and the criminality associated with such acts.

In his statement, Macron referenced "shocking" images of destruction, including the looting of stores and attacks on public buildings. He expressed that anger and shame were feelings shared by the public after the violent events committed by "dissidents" during the protests, which initially focused on issues related to the rising cost of living.

The president indicated that the government would take strict measures against the perpetrators of the violence, promising that those who caused damage would be held accountable. He mentioned that the sanctions for those responsible for the violent actions would be severe and that competent authorities, including mayors, could be authorized to prohibit demonstrations under certain circumstances.

Additionally, Macron announced that there would be a review of police responses to the protests in order to improve control of the situation. Authorities have faced criticism for how they handled the disturbances, which have already resulted in injuries to several police officers and the detention of thousands of protesters.

The protests, which have intensified nationwide, were fueled by a combination of factors, including the rising cost of living. Local authorities hope that with the new measures announced by Macron, the situation will stabilize and that protests can take place peacefully in the future.

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