French PM: No One Will Impose Their Agenda Through Violence

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned violent incidents during protests on October 17, stating that no one will impose their political agenda through violence. He accused far-left groups of orchestrating unrest in several French cities. Lecornu defended police and gendarmes, saying they faced extreme violence to protect citizens and deserve full support. He warned that violence would not intimidate the government ahead of presidential elections, and announced a bill to make rioters financially liable for damages. The proposed legislation, to be read in the French Senate later this month, would hold troublemakers economically responsible for destruction caused by themselves or their associates. Lecornu emphasized that public money should fund services, not repeatedly repair vandalism.