Politics · 2026-10-19 · Morning briefing

Widespread riots in France lead to 2,000 arrests

President Emmanuel Macron has condemned “unprecedented violence” across France after nationwide protests led to around 2,000 arrests over the weekend. Demonstrations saw the 19th-century City Hall in Limoges set ablaze, causing its roof to collapse, while hundreds of businesses were looted in cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.

The movement began in September, sparked by students in Paris's northern suburbs angry over conditions at their high schools. It has since expanded into a nationwide protest against inequality and the cost of living, with organisers claiming as many as 800,000 people participated in marches across the country.

While acknowledging the “legitimate concerns” of peaceful demonstrators, Mr Macron has vowed to “make examples” of those involved in looting. Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused the prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, of “playing with fire”. Tensions remained high on Sunday, with police deploying tear gas during fresh clashes in Paris.

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• France faces aftermath of overnight riots as protests turn violent
• Carrefour CEO says 50 of its stores and almost 20 supermarkets were ransacked during riots in France
• France in turmoil: Riots erupt following World Cup semi-final loss to Spain
• France: Macron rejects interior minister Nunez resignation after nationwide riots
• Macron vows ‘full transparency’ in France after protests turn to widespread unrest

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