French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly condemned the violent unrest that broke out across France on Saturday (17 October), blaming far-left groups and individuals involved in criminal activity for the destruction, in a televised address to the nation.

“I am addressing you tonight at a moment of exceptional gravity,” he said at the beginning of his speech.

The French president referred to the looting of shops and attacks on public buildings, describing the situation as particularly serious and expressing his support for the security forces and business owners affected by the unrest.

“Yesterday, Saturday 17 October, troublemakers from far-left organisations, joined by numerous individuals involved in criminal activity, looted shops and destroyed public buildings,” he said.

He made particular reference to the arson attack on Limoges town hall, questioning how such an assault could be justified.

“Why burn down Limoges town hall? How can anyone go that far? Nothing explains it, nothing justifies it,” he stressed. “We all feel anger and shame.”

“Those who caused destruction must pay — those who tried to overthrow the Republic will be held accountable”

Continuing his televised address, the French president spoke of the “unprecedented violence” that police officers had faced during Saturday’s unrest, despite the professionalism they had demonstrated, he said.

“Yesterday, our security forces, despite their professionalism, were confronted with unprecedented violence,” he stated.

Macron revealed that he had asked the government to examine all the available information concerning the handling of the unrest, particularly the gathering and use of intelligence by the relevant agencies.

“I have asked the government to draw all the necessary lessons regarding intelligence and to ensure full transparency. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost rigour,” he stressed.

The French president also highlighted the role of the justice system, insisting that those responsible for the destruction must answer for their actions.

He warned that there would be no impunity for those involved in the violence.

“Those who caused destruction must pay. Those who attempted to overthrow the Republic will be held accountable,” he underlined.

“I understand young people’s anxiety — efforts on energy must lead to lower prices”

Emmanuel Macron also addressed the cost-of-living crisis, particularly energy prices, and growing concerns among young people about their future, as he continued his televised address in the wake of the violent unrest.

The French president said he had taken initiatives at international level to safeguard France’s energy supply, while acknowledging that the public expected to see tangible improvements in prices.

“I have taken a series of measures at international level to support our energy supply. These efforts must be reflected in prices. I know that the French people are expecting concrete results,” he said.

Macron then focused on young people, acknowledging that many were experiencing deep uncertainty about their prospects and their ability to find their place in society.

“Our young people feel deep anxiety about their future and their ability to find their place in society,” he noted.

He also said he understood the concerns of school pupils and university students, stressing that the issues affecting them were a central priority of his political agenda.

“I understand our pupils and students. They are at the heart of my public action, and their voices must be heard,” he said.

“Our responsibility is twofold: to listen to their anger while firmly upholding respect for the democratic order,” he stressed.

“We will ban gatherings where necessary — France needs order, not an escalation of violence”

The French president made clear that the authorities would take all necessary measures to prevent further unrest, while calling on political parties to condemn violence unequivocally.

“Our prefects will go as far as banning certain gatherings. I call on all political parties to condemn every form of violence without qualification. The country needs order, not further escalation,” he said.

Macron also highlighted the need for political dialogue to address the problems facing French society, particularly its younger members.

“We cannot ask our young people to believe in their future without all sitting down together around a table,” he stressed, announcing that MPs and local government representatives would begin working on concrete solutions this week.

At the same time, he warned that the government would show no tolerance towards those responsible for destruction.

“We will show no mercy to troublemakers. A willingness to listen and engage in dialogue does not mean weakness,” he said.

The French president accused those urging citizens to take to the streets of attempting to shift political confrontation outside established democratic institutions.

“All those who are now claiming that the priority is to get people out onto the streets have just one goal: to derail the debate,” he said.

He also stressed that political disagreements should be discussed with the participation of political parties rather than expressed through violent clashes.

Concluding his address, Macron referred to the presidential election expected in six months’ time, calling for a stable political climate.

“Our country deserves a fine presidential election campaign in six months’ time,” he said.