France divided over who to blame for weekend riots

France remains deeply divided over the causes of weekend riots that sparked some of the worst urban unrest in modern history, with politicians, officials, and citizens offering conflicting explanations. The violence, which included looting of over 3,000 shops, has intensified political blame-shifting ahead of the 2027 presidential election. French intelligence and government officials, including Prime Minister Sebastian Lecornu, have implicated far-left groups and anarchists in orchestrating the violence, citing pre-planned attacks on police and manipulation of student protests. However, left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon denies these claims, while students say their anger stems from grassroots grievances over education funding. The unrest has fueled broader political debates, with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen blaming migrants and the government, while analysts note widespread public dissatisfaction with democracy across Europe. Opportunistic looting and social media's role in spreading violence have also drawn scrutiny, prompting calls for parliamentary inquiries and potential social media restrictions.