Key facts
- Prime Minister Gabriel Attal blamed far-left groups for orchestrating some of the weekend's violence.
- President of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet proposed a parliamentary inquiry into the riots.
- Over 3,000 shops and businesses were looted.
- Marine Le Pen blamed Jean-Luc Mélenchon by name for his associates' actions.
- Students involved in protests deny manipulation by politicians.
France is divided over the causes and implications of weekend riots that saw widespread looting and violence. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has pointed fingers at far-left groups for orchestrating some of the destruction, a claim vehemently denied by LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Students involved in protests also assert their anger is organic and not politically manipulated. The unrest has fueled political divisions, with upcoming presidential election hopefuls like Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon using the events to criticize opponents and the government. President Macron has demanded explanations for intelligence failures and a new policing strategy, as the country grapples with spiraling public debt and social frustration.