French President Emmanuel Macron relies on law enforcement to restore order after almost one week of riots across the country triggered by the killing of a teenager by a police officer. With difficulty the climate improves and the sixth night of protests has attenuated the clashes which however are leading to a political result: that of strengthening Marine Le Pen's Right and the xenophobic wave. All of this also explains Macron's prudence in managing the emergency in a balanced way and reducing demonstrations throughout the country.
Almost a week of protests: the situation seems to be improving
The sixth night of protests passed more calmly, they report 157 arrests across the country on Sunday, significantly fewer than the previous day's 719 arrests. The interior minister announced this morning that a firefighter died overnight near Paris while trying to put out burning vehicles, but it was not yet clear whether the fire was linked to the ongoing riots. Overall, more than 3.000 people they have been detained since the protests began.
The president mobilizes to calm tensions
Macron met with top government ministers late into Sunday evening in his latest attempt to formulate a response to the violence, which is testing his authority and ability to implement reforms.
Were deployed approx 45.000 police officers, special forces and armored vehicles to contain the clashes that have caused damage or looting to hundreds of public buildings and shops in cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Strasbourg.
Although tensions eased overnight on Monday, thekilling of Nahel, a 17-year-old boy of North African descent, remains a flashpoint linked to racism and inequality in France, which is drawing comparisons to the American reaction to the murder of George floyd in 2020.
Macron will meet about 220 French mayors on Tuesday to discuss the situation, Agence France-Presse news agency reported after government consultations. It is possible to be declared lo state of emergency.
Revolts and social fractures that have been going on for months now
This is another political mine for Macron, after he passed a raising the retirement age in France, preceded by months of strikes and protests.
The riots, mostly carried out by young people from working-class neighborhoods, are once again laying bare the fractures of society. Some of the most violent clashes occurred in the port city of Marseille, which Macron visited last week pledging help for community projects.
Nahel's grandmother called for calm on Sunday, telling BFM TV that rioters are using her June 27 death as a "pretext".
French government spokesman Olivier Veran said that “there is no political message” in looting a shop during the night. "I don't call these looting scenes a movement," he told France Inter radio.
Updated at 12:19pm on Monday 3rd July
