Lecornu blames far-left groups for protest violence, vows to make vandals pay

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu blamed "far-left groups" for violence in protests across several French cities and vowed to push through a bill requiring vandals to pay for damages, stating "we will not be intimidated." Lecornu accused "ultra-left groups" of organizing the violence and "delinquents" of joining to loot and destroy, while praising police and gendarmes for facing "extreme intensity" violence. He confirmed orders to prevent abuses, protect property, and bring perpetrators to justice. The statement comes amid nationwide violent protests featuring masked demonstrators burning cars, breaking shops, and throwing objects at security forces. Lecornu argued public money should fund services, not repair destruction, as France approaches next year's presidential election.