October 17 protests: 1,200 arrests, 150 police injured; Lecornu urges choosing a side
French authorities reported 1,200 arrests and 150 police officers injured during October 17 protests, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu calling the outcome a "miracle" and urging political factions to "choose their side." Lecornu framed the unrest as a stark choice between supporting the Republic and law enforcement or siding with rioters, directly challenging La France insoumise amid ongoing tensions over the youth mobilization. He described the situation as a "point of no return" during a visit to Paris police. Mayors of Paris, Marseille, and Lyon demanded meetings with Lecornu early next week, citing severe damage and looting. They called for a precise diagnosis of how the violence escalated, insisting such events must not recur.