Macron vows firm response after protests leave 2,300 arrested and one dead

President Emmanuel Macron addressed France on Sunday evening, 18 October 2026, after a day of protest and unrest that he said had left the country feeling “anger and shame”. He told the nation that “nothing justifies” violence.

The demonstrations began on Saturday, 17 October 2026, over the rising cost of living and poor school conditions. Between 550,000 and 800,000 people joined them, according to different accounts.

As the protests spread, masked groups looted businesses, damaged property and set fires at town halls. Town halls burned and hundreds of businesses were looted or damaged across multiple cities.

In Limoges, masked individuals broke into a town hall that was more than 140 years old and set a fire that brought down its clock tower.

Police made nearly 2,300 arrests over the weekend, including 855 in Paris. Almost 1,000 police and gendarmes were injured, seven seriously, the interior ministry said. One person died after suffering cardiac arrest during the demonstrations.

Macron drew a line between protesters with “legitimate demands” and “those who destroyed, smashed, and looted.” He described those responsible for the violence as “agitators from ultra-left fringe groups, joined by numerous delinquents” who “unleashed unbridled violence in our cities.”

“The country needs calm and order, not escalation,” Macron said. “Those who destroyed must pay. Those who looted must make restitution.”

He said authorities would be “uncompromising” towards perpetrators and promised to hold accountable those who sought to “bring down the Republic.” Macron also called on all parties to “unequivocally condemn all violence and call for calm.”

Macron said local authorities could ban certain rallies “if necessary” in the coming days. He did not announce a state of emergency or a curfew.

The president also promised “full transparency” over the conduct of security forces during the protests. The pledge came amid criticism that police preparations had been inadequate.

The government announced a crisis meeting for Monday morning.