Macron urges calm after nationwide protests turn violent in France
publishers 14articles 17first reported 18 Oct, 15:31 UTCdeveloping since 18 Oct · 10 editions
French President Emmanuel Macron called for “calm and order” in a televised address on Sunday after largely peaceful demonstrations across France descended into rioting, arson and widespread looting over the weekend.
About 550,000 people joined protests on Saturday over rising fuel prices, living costs and deteriorating public services, according to the BBC. France’s Interior Ministry said roughly 2,400 people were arrested and about 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured, seven seriously.
Macron said authorities must distinguish between protesters making “legitimate demands” and people who “destroyed, smashed and looted.” He said those responsible for violence would face justice and promised additional measures to protect shops and public buildings, as well as urgent assistance for those affected. He did not announce a state of emergency or curfew.
Disorder was reported in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Lille and other cities. Rioters set fire to vehicles and buildings, while looters targeted shopping districts. Limoges’s 19th-century city hall was gutted by a fire, causing its roof and clock tower to collapse. Smaller clashes continued on Sunday in Paris and Lyon, where police used tear gas and stun grenades.
Macron also promised transparency over the police response and said the government would review lessons from the unrest. Political opponents criticized his handling of the crisis: left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon blamed the government for failing to maintain order, while National Rally figures Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen accused Macron’s administration of weakness.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 5 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 4 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 13 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 14
- Source articles
- 17
- Given to the writer
- 5, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 4
- This version written
- 13 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →