Who benefits from France's riots? A nation divided

France is investigating who orchestrated the country's worst civil unrest in modern history, with officials blaming far-left groups while others cite student anger over public services. The violence has become a major political issue ahead of the 2026 presidential election. French intelligence reported anarchist groups were involved in student protests, and officials accused the far-left party La France Insoumise of using violence as a strategy. Police say the looting of over 3,000 shops was largely opportunistic, with some suspects selling stolen goods online. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, leading in polls, blamed immigrants and leftist politicians for the chaos, while many citizens expressed distrust in political institutions. Public frustration spans issues including climate change, inequality, and housing costs.