Macron After Riots in France: "We All Feel Anger and Shame, and Those Who Destroyed and Looted Will Be Held Accountable"

French President Emmanuel Macron declared on Sunday that “nothing justifies” the violence that accompanied protests over the cost of living in France over the past two days, expressing “anger and shame” over what occurred and vowing to hold accountable those who “destroyed” and “looted.”

In a televised address to the French people, Macron said, “We are all feeling anger and shame tonight,” calling for a distinction between protesters expressing “legitimate demands” and those committing “acts of looting and vandalism.”

He added, “Those who carried out the destruction must pay the price,” pledging that the government would deal “firmly” with rioters.

He stressed that “nothing justifies and nothing excuses” this violence, which he described as “unprecedented” and “unbridled.”

Macron pledged that senior officials would “make decisions in coordination with mayors to protect our cities, public buildings, and businesses.”

He said it was “unlikely” to see the streets of our cities damaged in this manner, promising to provide “support” to shop owners and businesses affected by the riots.

Macron also promised “full transparency” regarding how security forces responded to the protests, following criticisms that police preparedness had been inadequate.

He noted that he had asked Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to “draw the necessary lessons,” particularly concerning intelligence gathering and proactive measures, adding that he expected “clear answers.”

The French Interior Ministry announced on Saturday that approximately 2,400 people had been arrested, and nearly 1,000 police and gendarme officers had been injured, seven of them in serious condition.