Lecornu backs police, blames far-left for October 17 protest violence

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu voiced full support for police on Saturday, condemning "extreme intensity violence" during cost-of-living protests, and blaming far-left groups for organizing unrest. Lecornu stated on X that peaceful protests are legitimate but arson, looting, and attacks are not, claiming "ultra-left groups organized violence" while criminals joined to pillage. He praised officers and confirmed orders to prevent abuses and arrest perpetrators. Left-wing leaders, including Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Marine Tondelier, criticized the government's crowd-control strategy, accusing authorities of provoking clashes. Lecornu dismissed these as "dangerous and cynical" reversals of responsibility, vowing no political agenda will be imposed through violence.