Le Pen and Mélenchon clash after violent protests across France

Violence erupted during Saturday's social protests across France, prompting political leaders Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon to trade accusations. Le Pen blamed Mélenchon's party for chaos, while Mélenchon criticized police tactics and media coverage. Le Pen accused La France insoumise of "precipitating the country into chaos" and said legitimate demands were "taken hostage by the far left." Mélenchon, marching calmly in Paris, claimed the prefect organized disorder by gassing protesters and said media images masked peaceful mobilization. Government officials responded firmly, with Prime Minister supporting police and Justice Minister Darmanin ordering "extremely firm" judicial responses including provisional detention for offenders. President Macron vowed protesters who "broke" and "pillaged" would be "pursued and punished."