While many cities are still burning – President Macron left France

As numerous cities in France are engulfed in violent riots causing billions of dollars in damage, President Macron faces criticism for continuing his diplomatic trip to the Persian Gulf. The unrest, which began as student protests, has involved communist left-wing groups, Islamic organizations, and labor unions. Police have arrested over 2,500 people and imposed a nightly curfew.

While the streets of Paris and major cities in France are burning in a wave of violent riots causing billions of dollars in damage, President Emmanuel Macron is facing sharp criticism from both the right and left for his decision to continue his diplomatic trip to the Persian Gulf. What began as student protests over study conditions escalated over the past weekend into a widespread wave of riots involving communist left-wing groups, Islamic organizations, labor unions, and environmental activists. Social media footage showed protesters waving foreign flags and committing acts of destruction, arson, and looting. Macron flew to Taiwan and Gulf states for energy negotiations, and in a national address condemned the violence, explaining that rising fuel prices are a central cause of the unrest. His absence and reports of his attendance at a concert sparked public outrage. Right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen attacked: 'France under Macron is a country caught in a vice between violence and helplessness.' Left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused the government of 'zero action and police violence.' According to Morningstar estimates, the damage from the riots has exceeded the billion-dollar mark. Police have arrested over 2,500 people. The interior minister offered his resignation but Macron refused. A nightly curfew has been imposed in Paris and other cities.