French MEP blames government for weekend riots and calls for law-order reforms
MEP Jean-Marc Germain said France’s public order failures allowed rioters to damage shops and public buildings, calling it a major governmental lapse.
Jean-Marc Germain, a member of the Socialists & Democrats group, condemned the recent wave of protests and violence in France, describing the breakdown of public order as a "big failure of the government." He argued that while President Emmanuel Macron should not resign, upcoming elections must address the issue, and restoring law and order is essential for a credible voting process. The unrest began with a student demonstration over conditions and is set to continue with a general strike planned for November 5 by trade unions.
Why it matters
The remarks highlight growing public disorder in France and its potential impact on upcoming elections.
How this story developed
- Sep 4 Rising French borrowing costs spark fears of wider Eurozone debt risk
- Oct 8 The 10‑year yield climbed to just under 5% and the spread to German bonds topped 150 basis points.
- Oct 9 Bond market sell‑off intensifies as yields spike.
- Oct 12 Since the initial coverage, the protests have expanded beyond students to include civil servants, farmers and logistics workers.
- Oct 12 Rising borrowing costs hit France as a global debt storm intensifies.
- Oct 17 Donald Trump joked that France has become a prime spot for revolutions amid violent protests, and suggested the U.S. might back a new French uprising.
- Oct 18 No new statements from U.S. political figures have been reported since the earlier commentary.
- Oct 19 European stock markets opened lower on Monday following a weekend of violent protests and looting in France, with retailers reporting substantial losses.
- Oct 19 US Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump made public remarks linking the French unrest to immigration and proposing a $5,000 spend on a French revolution.
- Oct 20 The France‑Germany 10‑year bond spread moved past the symbolic 1.5‑point barrier.
- Oct 20 Curfews were announced in Paris, Lille and Nice following the weekend riots.
- Oct 21 Trump referenced the French unrest at a Kansas campaign event.
- Oct 21 The spread between French and German 10‑year yields widened to about 157 basis points, the highest level since 2011.
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