After Protests and Violence in France, Macron Addresses the Nation: Stay Calm, the Riots Must Not Be Allowed to Grow

President Emmanuel Macron has called for peace and order in a televised address to the nation following riots and looting that spread from protests across France. He warned that the riots must not be allowed to grow any further. In the address, delivered from the Elysee Palace after the widespread damage, he also drew a distinction between the protesters' legitimate demands and those involved in the destruction.

Before the address, Macron chaired an interministerial crisis meeting at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on Sunday. It is thought that the outline of the government's next steps was settled there, although in his address he mainly emphasised the message of restoring peace and upholding law and order.

Macron said that after Saturday's large protest turned into rioting and looting, 'we all feel anger and shame'. Around 550,000 protesters took to the streets in protest against fuel price rises, the cost of living and the deterioration of public services including schools; their protests were largely peaceful.

However, alongside the peaceful protests, rioter groups also became active in various cities. Groups dressed in black, wearing masks and balaclavas, set fire to cars and buildings in Paris, Marseille and other cities. There was widespread looting in Paris, Marseille, Lille and various other areas. It was this destruction that pushed the situation out of control.

Macron drew a clear distinction between the protesters' 'legitimate demands' and 'those who destroyed, vandalised and looted'. Police have so far arrested around 2,400 people. The President said there was no justification for the 'unbridled' violence that had been seen, and those involved would face justice.

He also said local prefects and mayors across the country would work together to protect shops and buildings. The aim of this coordinated administrative effort is to ensure no further destruction occurs, especially in commercial areas.

Another important part of the address was the promise of transparency over the police response. Macron said there would be 'full transparency' regarding the police reaction to the protests. Over the weekend, tear gas and water cannon were used on crowds, and in a few places riot police were seen beating people with batons - these are the incidents over which questions have been raised.

Police were also injured in large numbers in the violence. France's Interior Ministry said around one thousand police officers were injured on Saturday, seven of them seriously. This figure alone conveys the intensity of that day's clashes.

All in all, the main tone of Macron's address was two-sided - on one side, recognition of ordinary people's anger over the cost of living and public services; on the other, a tough stance against the destruction. Although he called the protest's demands 'legitimate', he made clear that the violence would not be tolerated in any way.

It now remains to be seen whether the street situation calms down following the President's appeal. The warnings of arrest and trial, administrative efforts to protect shops and buildings, and the promise of transparency over the police's role - on these three things depends which direction France's ongoing unrest takes.