French authorities announce partial curfews as PM blames ‘ultra-left’ for exploiting protests – Europe live
French President Emmanuel Macron faces widespread criticism following a speech addressing violent riots and protests across France. Opposition leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned his response as inadequate and out of touch with public frustration.
Why it matters
The political instability in France reflects broader European challenges regarding economic inequality, public spending, and civil unrest.
The near-universal chorus of condemnation that greeted Emmanuel Macron ’s address to the nation on Sunday, after one of the most violent days of rioting and looting in France’s recent history, was a stark reflection of just how weakened he now is.
A month-long protest by high school pupils over crumbling and crowded classrooms converged with broader frustrations over soaring living costs, rapidly widening inequality and falling public spending, bringing together students, teachers, trade unionists and a resurrected gilets jaunes movement .
Those largely peaceful protests were swiftly hijacked by masked groups who torched vehicles, ransacked businesses and severely damaged public infrastructure, including setting fire to Limoges’ city hall and invading that of Marseille.
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