Mélenchon accuses French government of provoking 'regime crisis'

French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused the government of provoking a "regime crisis" following violent unrest during nationwide protests on Saturday, directly blaming Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu for escalating tensions. Mélenchon responded to Lecornu's criticism that he should condemn looters, accusing the prime minister of "playing with fire" and citing reports of government-ordered "savage repression" that united youth and unions. He urged police to reflect, claiming the government would abandon them. At least 400 people were detained during protests involving 550,000 to 800,000 demonstrators, with masked protesters setting fires and clashing with police. Far-right leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella blamed Mélenchon's party for legitimizing violence, while the "yellow vests" movement and student groups organized the demonstrations.