Protests against the rising cost of living and shortcomings in the school system drew crowds across France on 17 October 2026. Authorities estimated about 550,000 people took part, while the CGT union put the figure above 800,000. In several cities the marches ended in clashes with police, arson and the looting of shops. In Limoges a town hall was set on fire and destroyed. Police recorded 855 detentions in Paris alone, a figure the authorities described as a record.
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The Government reported 2,397 people arrested nationwide on 17 October and 997 police officers injured. The Interior Ministry gave a similar picture, with nearly 2,400 arrests and about 1,000 police and gendarmes hurt. An earlier count of more than 1,200 arrests had been reported on the same day, before the later national totals were published. The scale of the violence was described by the authorities as unprecedented in several cities, and the government said it would review its intelligence work and the handling of the police operation.
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In a televised address on the evening of 18 October, Macron said the country felt anger and shame at the violence, which he said was aimed at bringing down the republic. He said prefects could take decisions together with mayors to protect cities, public buildings and businesses, including banning certain gatherings. He promised that rioters and looters would pay for their crimes and asked for full transparency on how security forces had acted on 17 October, saying they had held firm and done everything possible. He acknowledged that some people considered fuel prices too high and linked this to the war in Iran. Macron also announced a crisis unit to provide urgent aid to people going through difficult moments.
“I've asked the government to provide all the lessons learned and to be able to anticipate it to make sure that this does not happen again”
Macron urged parties and unions to condemn every form of violence and said the debate should take place between parties rather than in the streets, ahead of the presidential election he placed about six months away.
Bruno Retailleau, leader of Los Republicanos, asked Macron to declare a state of emergency, citing the 2005 precedent. His proposals included curfews, bans on movement in risky areas and at risky hours, house arrest for identified ringleaders, and the dissolution of groups that organise or provoke the violence. He argued that a state of emergency should be a first step toward a law allowing such exceptions, as had been done for terrorism. Jordan Bardella of Agrupación Nacional called the speech lamentable and cowardly, saying the government had nothing left to offer and could no longer protect the French. Marine Le Pen had not yet responded when the reports were published. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the France Insoumise candidate for the 2027 presidential election, said Macron had to end the 'wear and tear' or events could become uncontrollable, and he placed responsibility for the disorder on the government.
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Protests across France on 17 October 2026 turned violent, with town halls attacked and shops looted. Macron's televised address on 18 October stopped short of declaring a state of emergency or a curfew.
AI text based on reports by Al Jazeera Online, Bloomberg Business, europa press and other publishers. Changed .