Arabic version: الحكومة الفرنسية تواجه ضغوطاً بعد أعمال عنف خلال عطلة نهاية الأسبوع

According to BBC News, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is holding a crisis cabinet meeting on Monday after a weekend of violence and looting across France. The disorder followed demonstrations against rising living costs and declining access to public services, including state education.

More than half a million people took part in mainly peaceful protests on Saturday, but groups of black-clad, masked activists and vandals appeared as events turned violent. An estimated 1,500 shops and businesses were looted or destroyed. Riot police used tear gas and water cannon, and were seen striking people with batons in several locations.

France’s interior ministry said about 1,000 police officers were injured on Saturday, including seven seriously. President Emmanuel Macron addressed the country on Sunday, calling for national unity and saying those responsible for the violence would be punished. His speech drew criticism from political opponents and on social media for lacking concrete detail.

Questions remain over how rioters will be held accountable, how towns and cities will be protected during further planned demonstrations, and how destroyed businesses will be compensated. CGT union secretary general Sophie Binet accused Macron of failing to address concerns about students, the cost of living and public services. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the lower house of parliament, wants an inquiry into the weekend’s events.

Macron and Lecornu blamed radical far-left groups and delinquents for the violence, while Jean-Luc Melenchon alleged government incompetence. Marine Le Pen criticised the Macronist administration. Authorities hope that students’ half-term break will bring a respite, but trade unions and the yellow jacket movement have announced major protests for 5 November.