Macron condemns "shocking" scenes of violence across France

French President Emmanuel Macron ​condemned on Sunday what ​he called the "dissenters" who looted ‌and ​vandalised cities in "shocking" scenes across France on the sidelines of protests over the ‌cost of living. "Looking at these images, we have all asked ourselves: what was going through their minds? How can French people ‌do this to France?" Macron said in a televised address ‌to the nation. "Nothing justifies it, nothing explains it, nothing excuses it. Tonight, we all feel anger and shame."

Macron, whose final six months in office ⁠are ​being shaped ⁠by mounting political, fiscal and social pressures, said he had ordered a review to ⁠determine whether there had been failings in intelligence gathering or police ​preparedness before protests that were later marred by looting and ⁠violence. He said prefects and mayors would be empowered to ban certain gatherings where ⁠necessary.

Macron ​also said he had asked the government to bring together students, teachers, lawmakers, trade union representatives and business leaders ⁠this week to formulate what he described as "concrete proposals" to address ⁠the crisis, without ⁠providing further details. "We must sit around the table and build solutions together," he said.