French leaders slam Macron's speech after October 17 riots

French political leaders across the spectrum harshly criticized President Emmanuel Macron's Sunday evening address following weekend riots and looting during cost-of-living protests, with opponents calling it "irresponsible" and "lamentable" for lacking concrete measures. Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, Macron's own ally, said he preferred "decisions and initiatives" for restoring order and punishing looters, while far-right leader Jordan Bardella called the speech "lamentable" and left-wing figures like Manuel Bompard deemed it "irresponsible" for saying nothing. Macron expressed "shame" and "anger" and urged firmness toward rioters, but critics including Bruno Retailleau demanded an emergency decree, while Marine Tondelier and Fabien Roussel rejected his summons to Matignon, vowing continued peaceful mobilization.