Macron condemns 'shocking' violence during French cost-of-living protests

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the looting and vandalism that occurred during cost-of-living protests across France, calling the scenes "shocking" and blaming "dissenters" in a televised address on Sunday. Macron said nothing justifies the violence and expressed national anger and shame, while ordering a review into possible intelligence or police preparedness failures before the protests. He also empowered prefects and mayors to ban certain gatherings. Facing mounting pressures in his final six months in office, Macron announced he would convene students, teachers, lawmakers, unions and business leaders this week to develop "concrete proposals" to address the crisis, though he provided no further details.