Emmanuel Macron Vows Legal Action After Violence During France Protests, Orders Crisis Unit

Macron vows legal action

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed legal action against those responsible for violence during protests across France on Saturday, saying in a televised address, "Those who destroyed must pay. Those who looted must reimburse," and pledging judicial proceedings over offenses committed during the violence.

+3Macron addresses nation9 of 9 outlets reported it▾

Macron said Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu would chair a crisis unit Monday to mobilize "the fastest possible assistance" and support those affected by the unrest.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said Saturday that about 550,000 people took part in the protests across France, and French Interior Ministry figures released Sunday put arrests at 2,397.

French Interior Ministry figures also said 997 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven of them seriously, as the weekend protests were marred by violence.

Macron said he understood the "deep anxiety" expressed by young people in recent weeks at high schools and universities, and he said the government would work with students, teachers, trade unions, employers' organizations and officials to develop responses over the coming week.

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Reform talk, firm line

French President Emmanuel Macron told the nation that the government would distinguish peaceful demonstrators from those involved in violence and vandalism, while he pledged "uncompromising" legal action against violent rioters.

Macron said, "Nothing justifies it. Nothing explains it. Nothing excuses it," and he added, "Towards rioters and anyone engaging in violence, we will be uncompromising. Listening and dialogue mean neither weakness nor impunity."

Macron vows legal action5 of 6 outlets reported it · not in Al Jazeera▾

Macron announced immediate international efforts to secure energy supplies, and he said he would travel to the Gulf states on Monday morning to discuss securing fuel and gas supplies.

Macron said the Minister of National Education launched a platform that gathered over 100,000 contributions, and he said the structured dialogue with stakeholders was scheduled to begin this week.

French President Emmanuel Macron instructed the Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to convene political parties, trade unions, and professional organisations to demand clear public stances against civil disorder, while regional prefects would coordinate with local mayors to enforce protective measures including gathering bans when necessary.

Parties and unions called2 of 6 outlets reported it · not in Al Jazeera and 3 more▾

Reporting for this sectionANI News

Opposition and international jab

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei rebuked Emmanuel Macron over France unrest, accusing him of applying a double standard between protests in Iran and those in his own country. Baqaei wrote on X that Macron had prescribed "peaceful assembly without fear of punishment" for rioters attacking Iranian law enforcement centers and public institutions, but that now Macron quickly declared that destruction and attacks on state institutions would not be tolerated. Baqaei also quoted Macron’s earlier message to the US president, writing that Macron said "we can do great things on Iran" before the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would draw all the lessons from Saturday's violence, particularly regarding intelligence gathering and anticipation, to ensure such incidents "cannot happen again." French President Emmanuel Macron said the protests reflected public concerns over the cost of living and fuel prices, and he said the government was doing its utmost to address the key issue of residents' purchasing power.

Reporting for this sectionAl-Manar TV Lebanon@globaltimesnews