Macron condemns protest violence in nationwide address

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence during nationwide protests against rising living costs and school conditions, stating "nothing justifies" the unrest that led to at least 2,300 arrests. He vowed that looters will pay for damages and those seeking to bring down the Republic will be held accountable. Macron blamed "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals" for the "unrestrained violence." The protests, which drew up to 800,000 people according to organizers, saw attacks on public buildings including a fire that destroyed Limoges' 19th-century City Hall, with hundreds of businesses looted across major cities. The demonstrations, which revived the "yellow vest" movement from 2018, prompted political reactions from leaders like Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, while US President Donald Trump posted "France is burning!" Authorities reported one death from a heart attack and injuries including a teenager losing an eye, as police face scrutiny over riot-control tactics.