Macron speaks out against violence after French day of protests
After a day of violence, looting and around 1,200 arrests, the French government says it will not back down.
There is news on this story (Sunday, 18 October 2026, 09:43): French government reports around 1,200 arrests during day of protests
Follow-up to: French protests escalate again in several cities Sunday, 18 October 2026, 08:22
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French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu say violence during protests will not be tolerated. According to the government, around 1,200 people were detained on Saturday and 150 police officers were injured.
The day of protests began with demonstrations against the rising cost of living, higher fuel prices and the state of public services. In several cities, demonstrations turned into confrontations with police. According to the French government, many demonstrators were also present peacefully.
In Paris and other cities, shops and public buildings were damaged. Police used tear gas and water cannons, among other measures. The government says arson, looting and attacks on officers will be prosecuted.
Lecornu wrote that the government would not be intimidated by violence. According to public reports, Macron said that there is no place for violence in France and that people who have committed criminal offences must be held to account.
The scale of the arrests does not in itself indicate how many people will ultimately be prosecuted or convicted. Nor has it yet been independently established what proportion of the damage was caused by demonstrators, rioters or other groups.
The protests follow earlier demonstrations and blockades over education, purchasing power and government policy. This leaves the government facing two parallel problems: maintaining order and responding to broader social discontent, without equating peaceful protests with violence.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- On 17 October, there were protests in several French cities.
- The French government reported around 1,200 arrests and 150 injured police officers.
- Macron and Lecornu condemned violence and announced prosecutions for criminal offences.
- The protests also concerned purchasing power, fuel prices, education and public services.
Left
Arguments The government must address the underlying causes: falling purchasing power, high costs and problems in public services. Heavy-handed police action could widen the distance between young people and the authorities.
Values Social equality, public services and the right to protest.
Consequences An exclusively repressive response could trigger new demonstrations; reforms and dialogue could ease social pressure.
Centre
Arguments Peaceful protest must be protected, but violence and looting require targeted prosecutions. The authorities must place facts, proportionality and independent oversight at the centre.
Values The rule of law, proportionality and governmental stability.
Consequences A combination of enforcement and dialogue could leave room for legitimate protest without abandoning public order.
Right
Arguments The state must act quickly and visibly against people who use violence or damage property. Without clear boundaries, citizens lose trust in the authorities.
Values Public order, safety and the protection of property.
Consequences Stronger enforcement could limit escalation, but requires distinguishing between rioters and peaceful demonstrators.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts are confirmed by NOS and Reuters. Political interpretation is presented as perspective rather than as a factual finding.
- confirmed Around 1,200 people were detained. — Reported by NOS and Reuters on the basis of French government information. source
- confirmed 150 police officers were injured. — Mentioned by the French prime minister and reported by NOS. source
- confirmed There was violence, looting and arson in several cities. — This description appears in reporting by NOS and Reuters. source
Editor's note
The arrest and injury figures have been attributed to the French authorities. The precise scale of the demonstrations and the role of individual groups remain under investigation.Sources
- Franse regering zegt zich niet te laten intimideren door geweld op protestdag — NOS
- France protests: Why are half a million people on the streets in the country? — Reuters, gepubliceerd door The Economic Times
The story so far
- Sunday, 18 October 2026, 08:22 French protests escalate again in several cities
- Sunday, 18 October 2026, 09:02 Macron speaks out against violence after French day of protests (this article)
- Sunday, 18 October 2026, 09:43 French government reports around 1,200 arrests during day of protests
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „frankrijk protesten”
- de Volkskrant — „frankrijk protesten”
- RTL Nieuws — „frankrijk protesten”