The politics behind the French riots | BBC Newscast

Background and Scale of the Unrest

Violence erupted after weeks of protests over French schools and the cost of living. Demonstrations took place in major cities and were largely peaceful during the day, but some later saw rioting and looting. More than 2,000 business properties were attacked, and over 350 people were arrested in Paris alone.

The guests noted that images of burning streets can make the unrest appear nationwide, even though it was concentrated in particular areas. They also cautioned against minimising the severity of the damage.

Policing and Government Response

The guests identified possible failures in police planning. The government acknowledged that it had underestimated turnout by more than half, leaving officers unable to manage groups that broke away from the march. The agreed route ended in an unusually central, relatively small square, which may have contributed to the dispersal of crowds.

The unrest is likely to reignite debate about France’s approach to policing protests: whether officers should keep their distance from demonstrators or intervene to prevent property damage, and whether the use of tear gas, stun grenades and other weapons is appropriate. Reports of young protesters suffering serious injuries have added to criticism of the government’s handling.

The government has faced criticism across the political spectrum. The interior minister offered to resign, but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to remain in his post. The guests considered Macron’s televised address short on concrete measures. Unlike during the Yellow Vest protests, he has limited room to respond with large subsidies, as France’s deficit and borrowing costs constrain its options.

The Protests’ Origins and Public Opinion

The government blamed far-left agitators and suggested that violent groups had infiltrated the protests. The guests said the student-led demonstrations began as a grassroots movement focused on specific concerns, including teacher numbers and conditions in schools. They argued that blaming the far left alone does not explain the policing failures or the violence.

They also noted that violent agitators are a familiar feature of French protests, making preparedness a key issue.

Public opinion appears divided. Polling cited in the programme suggests that many people condemn the violence while sympathising with the protesters’ concerns. The guests linked that sympathy to fears about the economy and education, as well as to a weakening belief that education can deliver social and economic progress.

High fuel and grocery prices reflect wider European cost-of-living pressures, with winter heating costs looming. One guest cited polling showing that around 70% of people are unhappy with France’s direction and around 90% want the presidential election to bring real change.

Political Implications and Wider Context

The unrest could benefit far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who has portrayed France as caught between lawlessness and a powerless government. Her message that Macron has left the country in ruins positions her as a candidate for change while keeping her apart from responsibility for the current crisis.

The programme also noted that protests and cost-of-living concerns are appearing elsewhere in Europe. Alongside the disorder, France’s distinctive protest culture includes humour, music and costumes, amplified by social media.

Presenters and Contributors

• Adam, host
• Marion Solletty, Politico
• Leila Abboud, Financial Times