Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – "This evening we all feel anger and shame. Seeing our cities, our streets, devastated in this way is unbearable." French President Emmanuel Macron declared this, opening his address to the nation after the violence that accompanied yesterday's demonstrations and continued in Paris today.
The head of state denounced "the incredible violence in our cities," recalling that "public buildings, shops, and town halls were attacked and in some cases destroyed" and that hundreds of police officers were injured. "When we saw those images, we all asked ourselves: what were they thinking? How can French people do this to France?" Macron said, emphasizing that "there is nothing that justifies" the violence and damage caused by the riots.
We must never confuse, warns the French president, "the protesters with those who caused destruction, disorder and looting."
"Several hundred thousand of our fellow citizens demonstrated, making legitimate demands," the head of state emphasized, citing in particular the cost of living and fuel prices. Macron attributed many of the causes of the price increases to the war in the Persian Gulf, specifying that "France did not take part in it, but we are suffering the consequences."
“We share these concerns, which are also present in many other European capitals,” he added.
Macron announced possible restrictions on demonstrations following Saturday's violence. "We will be uncompromising. Listening and dialogue do not mean weakness or impunity," he emphasized. "The prefects will make decisions together with the mayors to protect our cities, public buildings, and businesses," the head of state explained, specifying that the measures could go as far as "banning certain gatherings" and taking "any necessary action." Macron also called on political parties, professional organizations, and unions to "unambiguously condemn all violence and call for calm." "The country needs order and detente, not escalation," he warned.
The president announced that this week the government will begin discussions with high school and university students, teachers, unions, business associations, and local administrators to identify solutions to young people's concerns. "We cannot ask our young people to believe in the future without giving them the opportunity to develop their own responses and sit down at the table," Macron said, reiterating his commitment to combining dialogue on social demands with firm action against those responsible for the violence.
He then launched an appeal. "We must unite," he said in his message to the nation, in which he called on citizens to "remain calm and show mutual respect" ahead of the presidential elections next April. The head of state emphasized that political debate must take place "in public meetings with political parties, not in the streets through violence."
"This debate must take place in the news, in newspapers, and on television, in peaceful meetings where people speak to each other with respect, and never through riots and riots," Macron concluded. "Our country deserves a good presidential election. It's truly important and requires a spirit of responsibility."
international/foreign
webinfo@adnkronos.com (Web Info)