Limoges town hall fire deepens France's political divide

A fire during nationwide protests severely damaged Limoges' 19th-century town hall, an event that has deepened political divisions in France ahead of presidential elections. The destruction has become a symbol of the country's broader social and fiscal crisis. Mayor Guillaume Guérin blames the French hard left and rioters, with two suspects arrested. Younger residents view the damage as collateral damage amid grievances over living costs, while older locals mourn the loss of a beloved landmark. The government has imposed curfews and protest bans. The protests began over high school conditions but expanded into wider anger about economic hardship. France faces a major fiscal deficit, and the incident highlights a polarized political landscape with elections six months away.