Spiral of violence in France: Macron acknowledges ‘failures,’ and the government announces curfews

The critical situation in France, mired in a spiral of violence, shows no sign of ending. The Élysée Palace, the Office of the President of the French Republic, admitted "shortcomings" in the response to the wave of vandalism in Paris and other major cities across the country, such as Lyon, Lille, Marseille and Bordeaux.

President Emmanuel Macron, who has six months left in office, acknowledged that the response was inadequate to prevent chaos from taking hold in France or to confront the vandals who are trashing the streets, burning public buildings and looting everything in their path as they raid stores.

In a televised public statement, Macron stated that the authorities did not believe these incidents would reach such a level of violence and severity, while also assuring that the instigators and vandals "will pay" for what they are doing to the country.

"I am addressing you tonight at a time of extreme gravity," said the French president. "Those who have destroyed must pay, and those who attempted to overthrow the Republic will be held accountable."

The interior minister echoed this sentiment. Laurent Nuñez, who, despite having submitted his resignation, will remain in office after being confirmed by Macron, stated that there was "a lack of foresight" in coordinating the response to the riots.

According to AFP, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin also acknowledged that the authorities "have undeniably failed."

"The far-left rioters will seek to destabilize our institutions"

In his remarks, Darmanin singled out a very specific group as the instigator of this violence: the far left.

The justice minister indicated that the organizational and containment failures stem from the French intelligence service's preparation, which is highly effective "in the fight against Islamist terrorism" and against "foreign interference," but "does not know how to properly combat the far left."

"This is a very important point because in the coming years, one of the threats facing our country will be far-left seditionists who will seek to destabilize our institutions," he added.

"The rioters are the armed wing of La France Insoumise"

The conservative wing of French politics has singled out one individual as the main person responsible for everything that is happening in the country: Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Jordan Bardella, president of the conservative party Rassemblement National (National Rally), identified La France Insoumise (Unbowed France), the far-left party led by Mélenchon, as the instigator of this violence.

"I view with great concern the drift of La France Insoumise, which is pushing for insurrection: Jean-Luc Mélenchon bears a very heavy responsibility. The rioters are the armed wing of La France Insoumise," Bardella said during an interview, adding that it is "necessary" for "anti-fascist militias" to be included on "the list of terrorist organizations."

Previously, the leader of Rassemblement National, Marine Le Pen, blamed Mélenchon and La France Insoumise for "viewing order as oppression and disorder as a right."

"Legitimate social demands have once again been hijacked by the far left and the rhetoric of Jean-Luc Mélenchon's deputies, who, by legitimizing violence, by viewing order as oppression and disorder as a right, seek to plunge the country into chaos," Le Pen emphasized.

The government also took aim at Mélenchon and his party. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused the leader of the far left of being the instigator of the violence.

Latest tally of arrests and injuries

This critical situation in one of the most influential countries within the European Union (EU) and one of the world's most significant in geopolitical terms, is reflected in the number of arrests made and the nature of the acts of vandalism and unrest that are taking place.

According to figures provided by the authorities, more than 2,500 individuals have already been arrested, half of them in Paris. In addition, approximately 1,000 law enforcement and emergency service personnel have been injured as of Monday.

The riots have produced unbelievable scenes. One such image was the City Hall of Limoges, a city located in western France, in flames. Or the vandalized City Hall of Marseille. In addition, on Monday, vandals decided to block the entrances to the Louvre, one of the world's most important museums. We also see criminals ransacking all kinds of stores, including luxury brands, and stealing everything in their path.

Government announces curfews

In light of the serious incidents occurring in many parts of the country, the government has decided to impose curfews in an effort to begin containing the violence.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that these curfews will begin this Monday and will be in effect every night.

“I asked the prefects to declare several curfews tonight—partial curfews,” Lecornu said, without specifying whether they would be enforced nationwide or only in certain cities across the country.