Macron vows to pursue those behind riots and looting in France

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to pursue and punish those responsible for acts of vandalism and looting during the recent protests in France, stressing that the country will stand united against what he described as agents of chaos. His remarks came after demonstrators managed to reach the Champs-Élysées despite a ban on gatherings in sensitive areas of Paris.

On Saturday evening, Macron wrote on the X platform: "There is no place for violence in our Republic. Those who committed vandalism, attacked government offices and shops, and even looted municipal buildings will be pursued and punished."

He added: "We will all stand together against those who spread disorder, who seek only to undermine our institutions and oppose those expressing their demands peacefully."

Meanwhile, the French Interior Ministry reported that around 550,000 people took part in anti-cost-of-living demonstrations across the country, including 110,000 in Paris.

Despite a ban by the Interior Ministry and Paris police on protests and gatherings near key government sites—including the Élysée Palace, the Prime Minister’s office, Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Élysées, and other sensitive areas—protesters succeeded in reaching the famous avenue.

In anticipation of the protests, many shops reinforced their glass fronts, while others closed entirely out of fear of looting, vandalism, and arson.