French President Emmanuel Macron has criticised social media for “damaging our democracies” as France continues to face unrest linked to rising living costs and police violence. The protests have turned violent in several cities, creating fresh concerns about public order just six months before voters elect his successor. During a visit to Marseille City Hall on Monday, Macron addressed law enforcement officials at the building that protesters briefly occupied on October 17. He said it was “not normal” for France to experience such “turmoil” and called for the looting and vandalism witnessed during the unrest to “never” happen again. He also vowed to “continue to hold the line”. Macron described social media as a “tool for mobilising the worst impulses”. He argued that the protests could lose momentum if authorities responded effectively to people's concerns while ensuring law and order. The French president said the government needed to address “legitimate expectations” without allowing violence to spread. However, he warned that “nothing is a foregone conclusion”, indicating that the situation remained uncertain. With another round of demonstrations planned for the weekend, Macron warned that the protests could become “risky”. He said authorities would keep protest routes away from city centres to minimise disruption and protect public safety.

French Authorities Admit Security and Intelligence Failures

French authorities have acknowledged shortcomings in security arrangements and intelligence that contributed to the violence on October 17. The unrest included widespread looting and damage to public property, raising questions about how protesters managed to overwhelm security measures. Following the incident, officials increased security for the demonstrations held the following Saturday and promised to remain alert during future protests. A Macron aide said the security situation had improved, stating, “From a security standpoint, we’ve largely turned things around,” Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that more than a dozen local curfews would remain in place. He also promised a strong security presence during the next round of demonstrations scheduled for Saturday. “We expect things to be difficult again,” he said, adding that “Halloween night is traditionally always lively.” Authorities are preparing for the possibility of further clashes as they attempt to prevent a repeat of the earlier violence.

Weekend Protests Leave Hundreds of Officers and Protesters Injured

Nunez described the outcome of the previous Saturday's demonstrations as more “positive” than the week before, reporting “no serious incidents”. However, violence still occurred in Paris and several other cities, including Marseille. According to the interior minister, police arrested 1,435 people in connection with the demonstrations. The unrest also resulted in injuries to 267 police officers and gendarmes, while 150 protesters were hurt. Three of the injured demonstrators were reported to be in serious condition. Although officials considered the overall situation an improvement, the number of arrests and injuries highlighted the continuing challenges facing law enforcement. The government is now preparing for further demonstrations, with security measures expected to remain tight in areas where protests could disrupt public order.

Student Demonstrations Expand Into Wider Public Anger

The unrest began with weeks of student-led demonstrations demanding better learning conditions. However, criticism of the police response, which many protesters considered heavy-handed, helped expand the movement into a broader campaign against the rising cost of living and police violence. Several teenage demonstrators have suffered serious injuries during the protests, while thousands of people have been arrested over the course of the unrest. The growing movement has placed pressure on the government to respond to students' demands and address wider public concerns. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was scheduled to meet student representatives in Paris on Monday. National Education Minister Edouard Geffray and Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste were also expected to attend the meeting. Macron had met representatives of secondary school students on Friday. However, the pupils left the meeting urging their fellow students to continue demonstrating until the government presented concrete proposals addressing their demands. The planned talks are part of the government's efforts to engage with student leaders as the protests continue to spread beyond their original focus.

Fatal Shooting Adds to France's Security Concerns

France faced another major security incident last week when a shooting outside Paris killed one person and injured five others. Among the wounded was a 12-year-old girl. Macron described the shooting as a “racist terrorist attack”, pointing out that most of the victims came from foreign backgrounds. The incident has added to concerns over violence and public safety at a time when the country is already dealing with protests, clashes and growing anger over living costs and policing. With another weekend of demonstrations approaching, the government faces the challenge of preventing further violence while responding to public grievances. Macron's remarks on social media, security failures and the need to maintain order reflect the pressure on French authorities as the unrest continues ahead of the presidential succession.