France Faces Ongoing Unrest as Protests Turn Violent

French police faced a second day of clashes with protesters and looters as the country grappled with the violent aftermath of nationwide cost-of-living demonstrations. The unrest, which saw 2,000 people arrested nationwide, left a trail of torched cars, smashed shopfronts, and burnt debris in Paris and other cities. City workers were still clearing the damage from Saturday's unrest when new troubles erupted, with political recriminations following.

Several hundred people gathered in Republique square in Paris following social media calls for a gathering that authorities had not approved. Television footage showed the looting of a clothing store and the burning of nearby bikes. Police responded by firing tear gas and stun grenades, with bottles and rocks hurled at officers who made several arrests. Some 550 people out of 855 arrested in Paris remained in detention from Saturday's troubles, with police stations struggling to cope.

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation on Sunday, condemning the "unbridled" violence seen in the protests. "Tonight, we all feel anger and shame," Macron said, distinguishing between protesters with "legitimate demands" and "those who destroyed, smashed, and looted". He vowed that the government would be "uncompromising" towards those who had rioted, describing the violence as "unprecedented" and "unexcused".

The violence took place on the sidelines of nationwide protests that drew 550,000 people, according to the interior ministry. Around 1,500 businesses were damaged with losses estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. Tourists in Paris were startled by the scenes of tear gas and protesters, with a Danish tourist describing the events as "far beyond a normal protest". Around 500 police, firefighters, and paramedics were hurt in the protests.