France weekend riots: What sparked the chaos and unrest

Violent riots and looting erupted across French cities over the weekend, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to condemn the "unbridled violence" in a televised speech on Sunday. The unrest, which included arson and property destruction, has overshadowed peaceful protests and threatens to destabilize Macron's government. The violence followed months of student demonstrations over education issues, which have since expanded to include broader grievances like the cost of living and public service cuts. Police response has been criticized as both brutal and ineffective, with over 2,400 arrests nationwide and reports of disproportionate force against young protesters. Protests also spread to Spain, Portugal, and Italy, reflecting a wider European discontent. The unrest has drawn comparisons to the Gilets Jaunes movement and raised questions about the government's handling of social tensions, with critics calling for political answers to the underlying crises.