France counts cost of violent protests, 1,800 arrested

bangkokpost.com —

France is counting the cost of violent protests on Saturday that saw 1,800 people arrested, a historic town hall torched, and widespread looting, raising political stakes for President Emmanuel Macron. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said investigations are underway to bring perpetrators to justice, with a record 855 arrests in Paris alone. The protests, against high inflation and living costs, also saw looting in Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, and Strasbourg, with over 500 police and emergency workers injured. The violence followed weeks of student demonstrations and drew political blame, with Macron's government and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen blaming ultra-left groups. US Vice President JD Vance linked the unrest to immigration, while analysts suggested the violence came from a fringe, potentially benefiting Le Pen's presidential campaign.


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