Europe · Monday, 19 October 2026
Macron vows accountability after looting and riots across France, over 2,000 arrested
In a Sunday address, President Emmanuel Macron said looters would pay for the damage and that those who sought to “bring down the Republic” would be held accountable. Saturday's cost-of-living and student protests turned into looting and fires in several cities; authorities raised their arrest count to more than 2,000, up from the roughly 400 reported the same Saturday, and at least 600 police officers and firefighters were injured. Marine Le Pen accused Macron of laxity, while left and green parties criticised heavy-handed policing of peaceful marchers.