Anger over the shooting of a teenager by police provides fodder for his opponents
. France had returned to politics as normal. Now, the rioting has handed both opposition factions a chance to undermine his presidency once again.
Mr Macron is no stranger to street protests. In 2018 he had to deal with widespread rioting, after the protests hardened into violence. Earlier this year the president faced months of demonstrations and 14 one-day national strikes against his pension reform. Some of the marches turned violent, as rubbish bins and vehicles were torched and troublemakers infiltrated the protest marches. A state visit by Britain’s King Charles III was cancelled at the last minute in March, due to security concerns.
The immediate concern, rather, is the loosening in early 2017 of the rules governing the police use of firearms, and what seems to have been a subsequent increase in deaths. In 2022, 13 people were killed during traffic checks, a record. France does not collect ethnic statistics. But linked to this is an underlying anger, in particular in the, at the way residents feel they are treated by the police.
The immediate task now is to try to contain the violence. On June 29th Mr Macron cut short his attendance at a European summit in Brussels to return to Paris, where he held a crisis meeting. In 2005, the last time that France was convulsed by such widespread nightly rioting in cities across the country, it took three weeks and the introduction of a state of emergency to restore calm. At the moment, says the presidency, this option is not judged necessary.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
France stops public transport and deploys 40,000 officers amid fears of third night of riotingBuildings and vehicles were set on fire as thousands took to the streets after a video emerged of a teenager, identified only by his first name Nahel, who was shot during a traffic stop on Tuesday in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre.
Read more »
France rioting: Grief and shock on the streets - as country braced for more violenceResidents and business owners have been counting the cost of the turmoil sweeping France - and expect more to come. Many want justice for Nahel - the 17-year-old boy shot dead by police - but don't support the violence which erupted after the shooting.
Read more »
Warning to British travellers amid rioting in FranceBritish travellers have been warned to be aware of the unrest in France amid rioting across the country following the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old.
Read more »
France erupts in anger after police shoot 17-year-old boy - what you need to knowAt least 150 people have been arrested in France during a second night of riots over the “inexcusable” shooting of a 17-year-old boy of North African descent, authorities have said ClaireGilbodyD explains the current riots in Paris ⬇️
Read more »
Emmanuel Macron postpones state visit to Germany due to ongoing protests and riots in FranceBREAKING: President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his state visit to Germany due to the ongoing protests and riots across France
Read more »
Emmanuel Macron postpones Germany state visit due to unrest in FranceBREAKING: French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed a state visit to Germany because of the unrest in France, German authorities say.
Read more »