Macron condemns violence as fresh clashes erupt in Paris

Summary

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence on Sunday as police clashed with protesters and looters again in Paris. The South China Morning Post reports that nearly 2,400 people were arrested on Saturday and almost 1,000 police and gendarmes were injured, seven seriously; France 24 says authorities counted about 550,000 people at nationwide protests while organizers counted about 800,000. The Straits Times reports that several hundred people gathered at République square after calls on social media. This follows earlier reports that protests over high living costs and dissatisfaction with the education system turned violent, with more than 1,800 arrests.

Timeline

1. France 24

   18 Oct 2026, 16:11 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that police clashed with protesters and looters in Paris on Sunday after nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living, and that authorities counted about 550,000 people at Saturday's protests while organizers counted about 800,000.

2. The Straits Times

   18 Oct 2026, 16:52 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that several hundred people gathered at République square in Paris following calls on social media.

3. South China Morning Post

   18 Oct 2026, 18:01 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Macron condemned the violence as police battled protesters and looters in fresh Paris clashes, and says almost 1,000 police and gendarmes were injured, seven seriously.