French newspaper rips Macron after riots erupt across France: ‘Indelible stain’

close Video Violent riots erupt across France as protesters clash with police in Paris, Lyon Fox News' Stephanie Bennett reports on massive demonstrations and violent clashes across France on 'Fox Report.' NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 4 Min A prominent French newspaper delivered a blistering critique of the country’s leadership after nationwide protests descended into riots, looting and arson. The article, written by Vincent Trémolet de Villers for the conservative newspaper Le Figaro and published Sunday afternoon local time, blamed years of political failures for contributing to the unrest and took particular aim at President Emmanuel Macron. It criticized what it described as a justice system that is "lenient toward criminals," accused far-left groups of carrying out violence with little consequence and took aim at France’s immigration and security policies. "A judiciary that is lenient toward criminals but unrelenting toward decent citizens. The incomprehensible privilege of these far-left militias, who destroy, set fires, and kill with impunity," the article stated, according to a translation. "An uncontrolled immigration, in which a portion of the immigrants rebels against the country that took them in." WHERE'S MACRON? FRENCH LEADER BLASTED FOR ATTENDING CONCERT AS riots ESCALATED The article took aim at Macron over his past calls for police to show greater empathy. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP) The article also took aim at Macron over his past calls for police to show greater empathy. "Emmanuel Macron’s reprimands toward a police force he deemed insufficiently 'empathetic' — directed at officers under attack by bolts, cobblestones, and mortar fireworks — will remain an indelible stain," it stated. The author argued that the unrest reflected deeper failures by France’s political establishment. "If the far-left, criminals, and looters can turn France upside down in a matter of hours, it is primarily because a technocratic monarchy — intoxicated by its own self-importance — has methodically dismantled all the moral, security, cultural, and economic safeguards that allow a society to remain standing." The scathing assessment followed a day of violence across France, where masked groups clashed with police, looted businesses, set fires and attacked public buildings, according to The Associated Press. Macron addressed the nation Sunday, condemning the violence and vowing that those responsible would be held accountable. PHOTOS SHOW AFTERMATH OF riots AS MASKED GROUPS CLASH WITH POLICE ACROSS France People walk by looted shops after a day of violent clashes between police and protesters in Paris, France, on Oct. 18, 2026. (Hesham Elsherif/Anadolu/Getty Images) Thousands of protesters take to the streets in Paris, France, on Oct. 17, 2026. (Elisa Marchina/NurPhoto/Getty Images) A fire is seen with the Eiffel Tower in the background in Paris on Oct. 17, 2026. (Guillaume Saligot/AFP/Getty Images) A protester holds a rock to throw at police on Oct. 17, 2026 in Paris, France. (Carl Court/Getty Images) Clashes occur between protesters throwing projectiles and police responding with tear gas in Paris, France, on Oct. 17, 2026. (Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto/Getty Images) "Nothing will excuse their actions. We all tonight feel angry. We feel shame as well," Macron said, according to a translation of his televised remarks. "There needs to be a response. Those people who looted need to pay for their crimes," he added. The French president also acknowledged concerns raised by the youth about their economic prospects and futures. "The youth of our nation are expressing great anguish and concern about the future, the conditions of where their careers will take them, what role they will be able to play in society," Macron said. "… I hear what they are saying, for the past ten years I've been fighting for them, so we need to pay heed to what they are saying." Macron said he ordered officials to increase security around public buildings and businesses, with protests potentially restricted in some areas. At least 2,400 people were arrested nationwide, including 855 in the Paris region, according to the AP. More than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, the AP reported, citing Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. LIMOGES TOWN HALL 'LARGELY LOST' AFTER FAR-LEFT RIOTERS SET HISTORIC BUILDING ON FIRE AMID FRENCH UNREST The criticism also comes as Macron faces scrutiny over his decision to attend a Celine Dion concert with his wife, Brigitte, on Friday night, on the eve of the nationwide demonstrations. (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images) Authorities estimated roughly 550,000 people took part in Saturday's demonstrations, while organizers put turnout at 800,000, according to the AP. Hundreds of businesses were looted nationwide, and unrest continued Sunday in Paris, where police used tear gas as tensions flared around Place de la République. The criticism also comes as Macron faces scrutiny over his decision to attend a Celine Dion concert with his wife, Brigitte, on Friday night, on the eve of the nationwide demonstrations. The protests, fueled in part by anger over rising living costs, school conditions and public services, erupted into violence Saturday. Macron's office and Le Figaro could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment. Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sophia Compton is a Writer at Fox News Digital. Sophia was previously a business reporter covering finance, energy and tourism and has experience as a TV news producer. She graduated with a journalism degree in 2021 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Story tips can be sent to sophia.compton@fox.com.