On 17 October 2026, demonstrations took place across France against high living costs and concerns over the education system.
Paris police, tasked with maintaining order, found themselves in battles with protesters and looters.
The protests were accompanied by significant violence across France.
” He also said in German: “Wer versucht hat, die Republik zu stürzen, wird dafür zur Rechenschaft gezogen.
Authorities counted roughly 550,000 people participating in the demonstrations nationwide.
The clashes left 997 police officers and gendarmes injured.
On 18 October 2026, President Emmanuel Macron delivered a televised statement.
He condemned the violence, stating: “Rien ne le justifie. Rien ne l’explique. Rien ne l’excuse. Nous ressentons tous de la colère, de la honte, et voir les rues de nos villes ainsi saccagées est insupportable.”
He also said in German: “Wer versucht hat, die Republik zu stürzen, wird dafür zur Rechenschaft gezogen.”
Macron praised the law‑enforcement officers who had confronted the crowds and expressed support for local authorities and businesses affected by the damage.
He announced a review of police actions during the protests and called for lessons to be learned from the confrontations.
The events of October 2026 resulted in the reported injuries and participation numbers.