France's protests turn to riots as government blames far-left

France is in a state of shock after the largest protests in years escalated into widespread riots and looting, leaving streets covered in glass and government buildings burned, according to The New York Times. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu directly blamed the far-left party La France Insoumise for the chaos. The unrest saw the 19th-century town hall in Limoges nearly destroyed by fire, with attacks on municipal buildings reported from Lille to Marseille. Lecornu stated intelligence indicated far-left members initiated attacks on police before protests officially began, and that looters later exploited the disorder. Police reported groups of 500 to 1,000 people in Paris, with looting intensifying by evening. Lecornu called it a "point of no return," demanding citizens choose between the Republic and rioters. Jean-Luc Mélenchon blamed the government's incompetence, while authorities reported approximately 1,200 arrests and 150 injured officers. The protests stem from dissatisfaction with living standards, fuel prices, and public services.