France's far right seizes on riots to push law-and-order agenda

France's far-right National Rally party is capitalizing on weekend riots across French cities, blaming both the government and far-left for the unrest while positioning itself as the law-and-order solution ahead of the presidential election. The party's leader, Jordan Bardella, urged citizens to vote for his party to restore order. The riots erupted alongside peaceful protests over school conditions and living costs, with masked agitators attacking government buildings and shops. The government imposed curfews in several cities, and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted police were unprepared, offering his resignation, which President Emmanuel Macron rejected. The government also accused far-left instigators of orchestrating the violence. The unrest comes six months before an election where National Rally candidate Marine Le Pen is favored to win, mirroring far-right gains across Europe. Analysts note the violence reinforces the party's narrative of a fractured France, though they caution that six months is a long time in politics and voter motivations are complex.