Macron vows to punish rioters and hear protesters' concerns

French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday he wants to punish rioters while listening to protesters, following a day of violent demonstrations across the country. He described "unheard-of violence" against police and announced a crisis cell to coordinate rapid aid. Macron convened Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and relevant ministers after Saturday's protests saw clashes, destruction of public buildings, and looting. Interior ministry figures report several hundred injured police officers and nearly 2,400 arrests. The president condemned "ultra-left factions joined by delinquents" while insisting legitimate grievances must not be confused with violence. Macron called on political parties and unions to condemn the violence and urged prefects to consider banning gatherings. He criticized Jean-Luc Mélenchon's France Insoumise party without naming it, saying those who destroyed must pay and those who looted must reimburse. He also pledged to hear young protesters' concerns about living costs and education, six months before the presidential election.