A leading French newspaper has issued a fierce rebuke of the country’s political leadership after nationwide protests spiraled into riots, looting and arson.
The editorial, written by Vincent Trémolet de Villers for the conservative newspaper Le Figaro and published Sunday afternoon local time, attributed the unrest to years of political failures, directing particular criticism at President Emmanuel Macron.
The commentary condemned what it characterized as a justice system that is “lenient toward criminals,” accused far-left groups of committing violence without facing meaningful consequences, and criticized France’s immigration and security policies.
“A judiciary that is lenient toward criminals but unrelenting toward decent citizens. The incomprehensible privilege of these far-left militias, who destroy, set fires, and kill with impunity,” the editorial said, according to a translation.
“An uncontrolled immigration, in which a portion of the immigrants rebels against the country that took them in.”
The editorial also criticized Macron for previously urging police to show greater empathy. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)
Macron’s earlier calls for greater empathy from police were another focus of the criticism.
“Emmanuel Macron’s reprimands toward a police force he deemed insufficiently ‘empathetic’ — directed at officers under attack by bolts, cobblestones, and mortar fireworks — will remain an indelible stain,” it stated.
The writer said the violence exposed broader shortcomings within France’s political establishment.
“If the far-left, criminals, and looters can turn France upside down in a matter of hours, it is primarily because a technocratic monarchy — intoxicated by its own self-importance — has methodically dismantled all the moral, security, cultural, and economic safeguards that allow a society to remain standing.”
The blistering commentary came after a day of unrest across France. According to The Associated Press, masked groups fought with police, looted shops, started fires and attacked public buildings.
Macron addressed the nation Sunday, denouncing the violence and promising that those responsible would be held accountable.
“Nothing will excuse their actions. We all tonight feel angry. We feel shame as well,” Macron said, according to a translation of his televised remarks.
“There needs to be a response. Those people who looted need to pay for their crimes,” he added.
The French president also recognized the economic anxiety and uncertainty voiced by young people about their future.
“The youth of our nation are expressing great anguish and concern about the future, the conditions of where their careers will take them, what role they will be able to play in society,” Macron said. “… I hear what they are saying, for the past ten years I’ve been fighting for them, so we need to pay heed to what they are saying.”
Macron said he had instructed officials to bolster security around public buildings and businesses, while acknowledging that protests could be restricted in certain areas.
At least 2,400 people were arrested across the country, including 855 in the Paris region, the AP reported.
More than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, according to the AP, which cited Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
The criticism comes as Macron also faces scrutiny over his decision to attend a Celine Dion concert with his wife, Brigitte, on Friday night, just before the nationwide demonstrations. (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities estimated roughly 550,000 people took part in Saturday’s demonstrations, while organizers put turnout at 800,000, according to the AP.
Hundreds of businesses were looted nationwide, and unrest continued Sunday in Paris, where police used tear gas as tensions flared around Place de la République.
The criticism also comes as Macron faces scrutiny over his decision to attend a Celine Dion concert with his wife, Brigitte, on Friday night, on the eve of the nationwide demonstrations.
The protests, fueled in part by anger over rising living costs, school conditions and public services, erupted into violence Saturday.
Macron’s office and Le Figaro could not immediately be reached by News Media for comment.
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