Katya Adler: France divided over who to blame for riots and what to learn from them
Katya Adler: France divided over riots and responsibility
Constantvpn.com – Katya Adler examines how France is struggling to explain the violence, vandalism and looting that followed Saturday’s protests. As investigators review the events of 17 October, the national debate is focused not only on those responsible for the damage, but also on public security, political rhetoric and the role of social media.
On a Paris street lined with broken shopfronts, shattered glass and anti-police graffiti, resident Elisabeth insisted that the destruction did not reflect the country as a whole. She said the images of violence risked eclipsing the far larger number of people who did not take part.
“This is not the face of France. You media all focus on the violence and destruction of Saturday's protests. But that's not the majority. It's not ‘us’. That's not France!”
Elisabeth said a friend had described the situation as civil war, but she rejected that view. Like many others, she saw a more complex crisis. The unrest came after weeks of student protests, while questions remain over whether the most serious violence was planned, opportunistic or both.
Looting and signs of organisation
More than 3,000 shops and businesses were affected by looting, much of which appeared opportunistic. Some young people attempted to sell stolen items online almost immediately, including designer trainers. Others appeared unconcerned about concealing their identities, prompting fears that they expected to avoid punishment.
Yet other incidents appeared more organised. Footage from Saturday showed groups of young men in black clothing, with faces covered by folded black kerchiefs, confronting police vans with objects resembling large hammers or machetes. In several locations, buildings were marked with the circled capital A associated with anarchist movements.
Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly, has proposed a parliamentary inquiry into both the riots and their organisation. Katya Adler notes that this reflects the political pressure on the government to establish how the violence developed and whether warning signs were missed.
French intelligence had warned government circles earlier in the month that left-wing anarchist groups were involved in student demonstrations. A 29 September intelligence document published by Le Figaro referred to what it described as the manipulation of student protests by unions and political organisations aligned with the radical left.
Political divisions deepen
The document suggested that La France Insoumise, or LFI, could be viewing violence as an electoral strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election. LFI has rejected the allegation.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez have both blamed the “hard left” for escalating disorder. Nuñez said such groups were “pouring oil onto the fire”, while Lecornu described planned “insurrections” involving small far-left and ultra-left groups.
Lecornu had previously accused the far left of using student demonstrations as a political weapon. The issue is especially sensitive because the protests began a month earlier in socially deprived suburbs around Paris, where political movements have sought to connect with student anger.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the anti-capitalist LFI leader and a prospective presidential candidate, has firmly denied encouraging violence. He attended Saturday’s planned protest, and politicians from his movement have been visible at student demonstrations since they began.
Pressure on the government
Emmanuel Macron’s government is also facing criticism over its failure to prevent the violence. With Macron nearing the end of his presidency, opponents argue that his administration has lost control of public security.
Macron has said that everyone involved in theft or violence will face justice. Police are examining CCTV recordings and material posted on social media, while online sales platforms have said they will cooperate with French authorities to identify people trying to profit from stolen goods.
As Katya Adler reports, the use of digital evidence underlines a defining feature of modern unrest: online images can help identify suspects, but they can also circulate rapidly and potentially encourage imitation. France now faces an argument over accountability that is likely to grow sharper as the 2027 election approaches.
Frequently asked questions
What is France investigating after the riots? Authorities are investigating the violence, vandalism, looting and the extent to which parts of the disorder may have been coordinated.
How many businesses were affected? More than 3,000 shops and businesses were affected by looting.
What happens next? Police are reviewing CCTV and social-media material, while the proposed parliamentary inquiry could examine both the riots and how they were organised.