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France's government faces criticism after worst riots in years

Published

Riots in cities across France followed cost-of-living protests, with stores ransacked and city halls attacked. Critics accuse the government of botching its policing operation, six months before elections.

Clashes with authorities took place in several French cities after the cost-of-living protests. Stores were ransacked and city halls were attacked. The riots are described as the worst street unrest in France in years.

President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu now face a series of crises. The accusation that the government botched its policing comes from unnamed critics. The elections are six months away.

Key facts

Who
Emmanuel Macron (President of France); Sébastien Lecornu (Prime Minister of France); Marine Le Pen (far-right presidential candidate, frontrunner in polls); Jean-Luc Melenchon (hard-left presidential candidate)
What
Riots in cities across France, following cost-of-living protests, saw stores ransacked, city halls attacked and clashes with authorities, drawing accusations that the government botched its policing operation. The article describes Macron and Lecornu as facing a series of crises.
When
19 October 2026
Where
France, Paris, Bordeaux
Status
Reported

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