French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Sunday to take a firm stance against rioters during ongoing protests in France over the cost of living, calling for a clear distinction between peaceful demonstrators and those committing vandalism and violence.
Agence France-Presse quoted Macron as saying in a televised address: "Nothing justifies acts of violence" that accompanied the protests over the past two days, threatening "those who destroyed and looted" with full accountability, emphasizing that "nothing justifies or excuses this violence," which he described as "unprecedented and rampant."
Macron expressed his "anger and shame" over the violence, calling for a distinction between protesters expressing legitimate demands and those committing "acts of looting and destruction," insisting that "those who caused the destruction must pay the price."
Plans to protect cities, public buildings, and businesses
Macron pledged that senior officials would make decisions in coordination with mayors to protect cities, public buildings, and businesses, stating: "It is unlikely that the streets of our cities will be vandalized in this manner."
Macron also promised "full transparency" regarding how French security forces responded to the protests, following criticisms that police preparedness was insufficient.
The French Ministry of the Interior announced the arrest of approximately 2,400 people on Saturday, and the injury of nearly 1,000 police and gendarme officers, seven of them in serious condition.
Widespread protests ahead of presidential elections
The French capital, Paris, and several other French cities witnessed massive demonstrations on Saturday against rising living costs and declining purchasing power, roughly six months before the presidential elections, amid tensions and clashes between protesters and security forces, and acts of vandalism targeting official buildings, shops, and public facilities.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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