French unrest fuels criticism of Macron ahead of presidential election
Violent riots across several French cities have led to curfews and intensified criticism of President Emmanuel Macron, who is abroad on a Gulf energy mission.
A wave of violent unrest swept France over the weekend, forcing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to order partial curfews in Paris, Lyon, Lille and Nice as authorities attempt to restore order. President Emmanuel Macron, on a diplomatic trip to the Gulf to discuss energy supplies, now faces mounting criticism from across the political spectrum, including former prime ministers Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, National Rally leader Jordan Bardella, and Socialist candidate Raphaël Glucksmann, who argue the government has lost credibility.
Senior members of Macron's cabinet have acknowledged shortcomings in the response. The unrest also disrupted a European Parliament session in Strasbourg, leading to an emergency debate and a planned trade-union demonstration outside the building. While the EU continues to address broader issues such as competitiveness and Ukraine peace talks, the immediate focus remains on how the unrest will shape Macron's legacy and the upcoming presidential election.
Why it matters
The unrest threatens France's stability and could sway the outcome of the presidential election.
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 14 In a lengthy interview, Marine Le Pen said she expects a showdown with the European Commission over lowering France's EU budget contribution, plans to halt French funding for Ukraine, and confirms Jordan Bardella as her chosen prime minister.
- 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 Zelensky highlighted that cooperation with Ukraine provides real‑world testing for French defence products.
- Oct 18 No new statements from U.S. political figures have been reported since the earlier commentary.
- 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.
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