France Experiences Worst Unrest in Years Amid Protests Against Government Spending Cuts

France endured its worst unrest in years this weekend as nationwide protests over high living costs and declining public services turned violent. The unrest increases pressure on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's minority government ahead of a key budget vote. Lecornu's government seeks €54 billion ($61 billion) in fiscal savings in the 2027 budget to narrow France's growing deficit. The National Assembly is due to vote formally on the first part of the budget bill on Tuesday.

Authorities said about 550,000 people marched in scores of cities on Saturday, including 110,000 in Paris. The interior ministry reported almost 2,400 arrests as violent groups clashed with police, looted or damaged shops and covered buildings in graffiti. The interior ministry said nearly 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured. Hundreds of thousands protested peacefully. However, violent fringe groups targeted public buildings, looted shops and attacked police. The demonstrations followed a month-long student movement over teacher shortages and school conditions, alongside broader anger from unions.

President Emmanuel Macron ordered a review of possible failures in intelligence gathering or police preparedness. Macron asked the government to convene students, teachers, lawmakers, unions and business leaders this week to produce concrete proposals addressing the crisis. Mounting political, fiscal and social discontent increasingly defines Macron's final months in office. Macron condemned the violence in a televised address on Sunday evening and said nothing justified or excused the violence. Macron pledged an uncompromising response to what Macron called agitators from ultra-left fringe groups joined by numerous delinquents. Macron stopped short of declaring a state of emergency or imposing a curfew. Macron said prefects and mayors would be allowed to ban certain gatherings where necessary to protect public buildings and local businesses.

An arson attack largely destroyed the 143-year-old town hall in Limoges, central France, after looters broke a window. Limoges Mayor Guillaume Guérin said on Sunday that the attackers clearly intended to burn down the town hall and that people inside feared for their lives. Protesters forced entry into Marseille's city hall. A tourist office in Lyon was set ablaze. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Sunday that several hundred shops sustained considerable material damage. Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave said up to 100 stores in Bordeaux were looted.

Police said one protester died of cardiac arrest during demonstrations in Paris, without providing further details. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades on Sunday afternoon to disperse a rally at Place de la République in Paris. Bicycles were set on fire.

Business losses from the unrest are running to hundreds of millions of euros. Economy Minister Roland Lescure vowed government support for business owners who suffered losses from the riots. A statement reported by Reuters said those responsible for damage would pay, repair the damage and be held accountable for intending to sow chaos.

France has struggled in recent years to curb spending and debt. France's debt reached a record €3.6 trillion in the second quarter, equivalent to 119% of GDP. Debt servicing is becoming increasingly expensive as interest rates rise across the world.

Far-right opposition leader Marine Le Pen, the frontrunner for next year's presidential campaign, described Macron's government as exhausted and disoriented. Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who is also running for president, said Macron needed to answer protesting high-school students' demands. Mélenchon warned that events in France could eventually become uncontrollable.