In the preceding days, protests in France had degenerated into clashes in several cities, with attacks on law enforcement, looting, and destruction. Authorities reported a growing number of arrests and a large number of injured police officers and gendarmes, while the incidents also included fires and material damage in areas such as town halls and public buildings.
Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and promised punishments for those who attacked institutions, presenting law enforcement forces as guarantors of the right to peaceful protest. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned of the risk that the incidents could be used politically, while authorities announced measures to investigate and identify those responsible, including by analyzing video recordings.
The protests were linked to social grievances and the functioning of public services, while in some areas there were also measures banning demonstrations in locations considered strategic. At the same time, there were also protests initiated in the education sector, which subsequently attracted other groups as well, and some demonstrations continued to generate tensions and incidents.
