Macron admits lack of foresight on October 17 protests during surprise Marseille visit

French President Emmanuel Macron admitted Monday that authorities had "not at all anticipated" the October 17 protests, during an unannounced visit to Marseille, where he also deemed next Saturday's planned demonstrations "at risk" and confirmed they would be kept out of city centers. Speaking from Marseille's city hall, which was briefly overrun by protesters on October 17, Macron acknowledged that "police forces were not duly proportioned" for that day's mobilization. He also blamed social media for "damaging our democracies," describing them as "instruments of mobilization of the worst" that create "a form of derealization of violence." Macron rejected calls from presidential candidate Bruno Retailleau to declare a state of emergency, insisting "the Republic" and "public order" were being maintained without it, though he said it was not "a ban or a taboo" if conditions worsened. He distinguished current unrest from the summer 2023 riots, citing roots in student mobilization and the high cost of living.