The president’s response

According to Son Dakika, Emmanuel Macron said those involved in looting and attacks on public buildings should be held accountable. He distinguished them from peaceful demonstrators concerned about fuel prices. The explanation linking higher fuel prices to the war involving Iran is Macron’s assessment.

Background to the protests

The report describes demonstrations initially launched by high-school students spreading, followed by a gathering at Paris’s Place de la République on October 18 after yellow-vest protests on October 17. It reports police intervention, attempts to build barricades, fires and looting at some shops. These incidents do not establish that all participants used violence.

Understanding the figures

Citing the Interior Ministry, the source reports over 500 injured police, gendarmerie and fire-service personnel and over 1,800 arrests nationwide on the previous day. It separately reports 855 arrests in Paris, with prosecutors mentioning 171 minors and 517 people still in custody. The figures have different scopes and should not be added together. Arrest does not establish guilt.

What readers should check

People in France should consult local transport and security notices when planning journeys. Nationwide totals do not indicate identical conditions in every city. Decisions about a particular neighbourhood or event require current local information.