During Macron’s televised speech, the angry French were already knocking on pots in several cities. Later in the evening, about 2,000 protesters turned out in Paris, according to authorities. “Macron, step aside,” he shouted. In Caen there were 900 demonstrators, in Rennes about 700 people protested, in Lyon, according to the authorities, a group of 400 to 600 people and in Nantes about 850 people demonstrated.
Pictures on social media showed how objects were thrown in the streets of Paris and the police intervened. In Lyon, a police station was set on fire and the door to the Town Hall in the 1st arrondissement was opened, after which demonstrators entered that building. The mayor of Lyon, Gregory Doucet, strongly condemned the attacks.
Macron, who had previously said in his televised address that he understood the people’s anger, vowed again on Twitter Monday night to “rebuild the country” and “not give in to division”. His speech was heavily criticized. “It could have been written by ChatGBT,” union leader Sophie Binet said. Key opposition leaders said Macron was “beyond reality”.
“Creator. Award-winning problem solver. Music evangelist. Incurable introvert.”
More Stories
An official ceremony for Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan (photos)
Ten dead after a helicopter collision – in the sky
Indian Prime Minister Modi accused of hate speech after statements in which he described Muslims as “invaders”