Macron urges calm in France after protests turn into rioting and looting

French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for "calm and order" after mass demonstrations on Saturday turned into rioting and looting in several cities. Speaking from the Élysée Palace on Sunday, as sporadic disorder continued in Paris, he warned participants not to "escalate" the situation. The unrest matters because it reflects tension across the country over the cost of living and the state of public services.

Protests and unrest

According to France's interior ministry, around 550,000 people took part in the demonstrations. Most of the protests were peaceful, with people voicing anger over rising fuel prices, the cost of living and declining public services, including schools.

However, groups of rioters, some dressed in black and wearing masks and balaclavas, appeared in Paris, Marseille and other towns and cities. They set fire to cars and buildings. On Sunday, looting and clashes with police carried on at a smaller scale in parts of the capital and in Lyon.

The AFP news agency reported that police fired tear gas and stun grenades at hundreds of people in Paris, while bottles and rocks were again thrown at officers.

Macron's message

Macron said a distinction must be made between protesters' "legitimate demands" and "those who destroyed, smashed and looted". He said "nothing justifies" the "unbridled" violence and promised that those involved would face justice. "We all feel anger and shame," he said.

The interior ministry said police have so far arrested about 2,400 people.