Unrest in France: Macron Addresses the Nation, While U.S. Demands Border Closure
The government will discuss the protesters' demands in the coming days with political parties, trade unions, schoolchildren, students, teachers, and employers; the meeting will be organized by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
Following the protest actions, Emmanuel Macron condemned the riots and looting. The president promised unwavering firmness toward those who organized them; prefects and mayors, he added, have the right to ban rallies.
Macron stated that demands regarding the cost of living and fuel prices brought several hundred thousand people into the streets. He attributed the violence to "troublemakers from far-left groups" and criminals who joined them. The president recalled the arson of the Limoges city hall, the fire at the Lyon tourist office, the intrusion into the Marseille municipality, and the attack on the prefect’s residence in Bordeaux. Several hundred police officers and gendarmes were injured.
The president believes that those responsible should pay for the destroyed property, and the damage caused by looters must be compensated. Macron explained the rise in fuel prices by the conflict in the Persian Gulf, in which, he said, France is not involved. He called for political disagreements to be discussed at public meetings, in the media, and during peaceful protests.
Donald Trump urged the French leader to close the border and restore control over the situation. Protests that began in the Île-de-France region have spread across the country. High school students are protesting overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of teachers, the poor condition of educational institutions, and an overly packed schedule.
