President Emmanuel Macron is set to address the nation after widespread protests over living costs and public services resulted in significant damage and hundreds of arrests.

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to deliver a solemn address to the nation on Sunday evening following days of violent protests across France. The demonstrations, which began as student protests over school conditions, have expanded into a nationwide movement against rising living costs and the withdrawal of public services. The unrest has led to widespread property damage, hundreds of injuries among security forces, and thousands of arrests.

Scale of Unrest and Damage

The protests have resulted in significant destruction, with footage showing looted shops, smashed windows, and burned-out vehicles. In the central city of Limoges, rioters set fire to the 19th-century City Hall, causing its roof to partially collapse. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that over 600 police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters have been injured, while more than 2,000 people have been taken into custody. One demonstrator died after suffering a heart attack during the events.

Political Context and International Reaction

The protests have become a central political issue as the campaign for next year’s presidential election intensifies. The movement has drawn participants from diverse groups, including students, labor unions, Yellow Vests, and ordinary citizens. U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation via social media, blaming migration for the unrest and urging France to close its borders. U.S. Vice President JD Vance also addressed the events, characterizing them as a failure of Western liberal policies regarding assimilation.