Riots across French cities leave trail of destruction and political fallout

France experienced its most severe political unrest in years over the weekend, with riots leaving a trail of destruction across multiple cities, including fires, looted shops, and street barricades. More than half a million people took to the streets, and over 2,000 individuals were arrested nationwide. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons, resulting in hundreds of injuries among both officers and demonstrators. The protests, which began in September over school issues, have since expanded to target social inequality, public spending cuts, and high living costs, leaving residents like Farida in Marseille heartbroken by the devastation. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez offered his resignation, but President Emmanuel Macron refused it to maintain police command. The unrest pressures Macron ahead of April's presidential election, with polls favoring far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, though Macron has only vaguely promised to address public concerns.