“This evening we all feel anger and shame. Seeing the cities, the streets of our cities devastated in this way is unbearable” This was declared by French President Emmanuel Macron, opening his speech to the nation after the violence that accompanied yesterday’s demonstrations and which continued in Paris today.
The head of state denounced “the incredible violence in our cities“, recalling that “public buildings, shops and town halls were attacked and in some cases destroyed” and that hundreds of police officers were injured. “When we saw those images, we all asked ourselves: what were they thinking? How can the French do this to France?”, said Macron, underlining that “there is nothing that justifies” the violence and damage caused by the riots.
“Do not confuse legitimate claims with those who destroy and plunder”
We must never confuse, warns the French president, “the demonstrators with those who caused destruction, disorder and looting”. “Several hundred thousand of our fellow citizens demonstrated making legitimate demands”, underlined the head of state, citing in particular the cost of living and the price of fuel. Macron attributed many of the causes of the price increases to the war in the Persian Gulf, specifying that “France did not take part in it, but we are suffering the consequences”. “We share these concerns, which are also present in many other European capitals,” he added.
“Parties and unions condemn violence without ambiguity”
Macron announces possible restrictions on demonstrations, after Saturday’s violence. “We will be intransigent. Listening and dialogue mean neither weakness nor impunity” he underlines. “The prefects will make decisions together with the mayors to protect our cities, public buildings and commercial activities”, explained the head of state, specifying that the measures could go as far as “banning some gatherings” and taking “any necessary action”. Macron also called on political parties, professional organizations and trade unions to “unambiguously condemn all violence and call for calm“. “The country needs order, détente and not escalation”, he warns.
The president announced that as early as this week the government will start discussions with high school and university students, teachers, unions, business associations and local administrators to identify answers to young people’s concerns. “We cannot ask our young people to believe in the future without giving them the opportunity to build responses and sit at the table”, said Macron, reiterating his desire to combine dialogue on social demands with firmness towards those responsible for the violence.
The call for unity
Then launch an appeal. “We must unite”, he says in his message to the nation in which he invited citizens to “calm and mutual respect” in view of the presidential elections next April. The head of state underlined that political confrontation must take place “in public meetings with parties, not in the streets through violence”.
“This debate must take place in the news, in newspapers and on television, in peaceful meetings in which people speak to each other with respect, and never through riots and riots – concludes Macron -. Our country deserves good presidential elections. It is really important and requires a spirit of responsibility”.