Mass riots over the rising cost of living continue in France

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for “calm and order” after large-scale protests escalated into unrest and looting on Saturday, while isolated disturbances continued in Paris on Sunday.

Speaking from the Élysée Palace, he warned protesters against escalating the situation, adding: “We all feel anger and shame.”

Approximately 550,000 demonstrators took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction, mostly in peaceful protests, over rising fuel prices, the cost of living and the deterioration of public services, including the state of schools.

Macron stressed the need to distinguish between protesters’ “legitimate demands” and “those who vandalised, destroyed and looted”.

According to France’s Interior Ministry, police have arrested approximately 2,400 people.

The French president said nothing could justify the “uncontrolled” violence witnessed and announced that those responsible would face trial.

Groups of rioters also took to the streets in Paris, Marseille and other French cities. Some were dressed in black and wore masks. In several instances, cars and buildings were set on fire.

Following some of the most serious episodes of public disorder in modern French history, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will convene an emergency government crisis meeting on Monday.

French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticised the mistakes he believes led to the violent protests on Monday, but refused to accept the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.

Macron asked Nuñez to “take all necessary measures to ensure transparency regarding the planning and intelligence failures that triggered the violence”, as well as to “introduce new operational methods for the security forces” to address the crisis, according to a statement.