Fresh clashes broke out in Paris on Sunday as demonstrations continued to sweep the country. One protester died after suffering a cardiac arrest during the demonstrations in Paris.
More than half a million people joined marches in scores of cities on Saturday. The protests began last month over school conditions and teacher shortages in working-class suburbs.
Police made more than 2,000 arrests across France, while more than 600 officers were injured, according to the interior minister. The city's 143-year-old town hall in Limoges was set ablaze and largely destroyed in an arson attack on Saturday.
Guillaume Guerin stated there was a clear, premeditated intention to burn down the town hall, and the people inside feared for their lives. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu blamed the unrest on the "ultra-left" and criminals.
Roland Lescure said those who break things will pay, repair the damage and be held accountable for their intention to sow chaos. Up to 100 stores had been looted in Bordeaux, according to Thomas Cazenave.
Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan announced emergency financial aid to support those businesses impacted by the violence. Alexandre Bompard reported that 50 of Carrefour's shops had been damaged, including 20 that were looted, with losses running into the tens of millions of euros.
President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation at 8 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Sunday, according to his office. Macron leaves office in 2027.
Jordan Bardella stated that France had been "humiliated" and added, "What we are paying for is decades of laxity, a loss of authority, and the moral, psychological, and material disarmament of our internal security forces." Tije De Boer said, "It's like a war zone here."
