President Emmanuel Macron promised a tough response and gave local authorities powers to ban rallies after cost-of-living protests on October 17 turned into some of France's worst unrest in years and led to nearly 2,400 arrests.
The Interior Ministry reported that almost 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven seriously, as clashes, looting, and fires spread across several cities. Authorities estimated that about 550,000 people took part in demonstrations over rising prices and declining public services. Students and unions also raised concerns about conditions in schools.
Among the damage, the historic town hall in Limoges was badly burned, and people attacked shops and other public buildings. In a televised address, Macron said peaceful demonstrators with legitimate complaints must be separated from people who destroyed and looted property. He promised that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.
Macron said mayors and prefects could ban certain gatherings if necessary, but he did not declare a state of emergency or a curfew. On Monday, Macron rejected an offer to resign from Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. He also called for an investigation into possible failures in planning and intelligence before the violence began.
The unrest has increased pressure on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's minority government as it seeks major spending cuts and approaches an important budget vote.