(London = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Ji-yeon = With France facing one of the worst unrest in modern history with half a year left before the presidential election, the political world is in chaos, fighting over responsibility.
On the 17th (local time), more than 500,000 people (government estimate) participated in protests against poor educational environments and high prices across France, while rioters wearing black masks looted and damaged 1,500 stores on the streets. 2,400 people were arrested and about 1,000 police officers were injured.
Britain's BBC reported on the 19th, "Some of the worst incidents of disorder in modern French history are unfolding," and "People are in shock across France. The country is anxious as tear gas covers villages, people loot without restraint, and public buildings are set on fire."
The words 'The City of Light (Paris' nickname) has fallen into darkness' were written in red paint on a wall between damaged stores in Paris.
The local community was also in shock. Guillaume Guérin, the mayor of Limoges, who suffered heavy damage, including the burning of the city hall, told the local LCI broadcaster, "I hope that our city hall can be rebuilt in the same condition as the Notre Dame Cathedral (rebuilt after the fire). If the Prime Minister's Office or the Élysée Palace (President's Office) does not promise this within 48 hours, I will resign."
The center-right government of outgoing President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has repeatedly blamed the far left.
President Macron said on the 18th that the rioters should be distinguished from the protesters and claimed, “Many hoodlums have joined the ultra-left fringe group agitators.”
Prime Minister Lecornu repeatedly criticized Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed (LFI), a far-left presidential candidate, for not sufficiently criticizing the violence that occurred on the 17th and spending time only encouraging student protests.
Representative Mélenchon immediately counterattacked, saying that Prime Minister Lecornu was “responsible for the chaos caused by his incompetence.”
Representative Mélenchon said on LCI Broadcasting, "The core of the problem is the demands of the protesters, the problems faced by students, and the high cost of living," and argued that the government is belittling student protests and worsening violence in order to justify hard-line suppression.
Marine Le Pen, a powerful presidential candidate and member of the far-right National Coalition (RN), blamed the government's immigration policy for the riots, saying, "We are paying the price for decades of uncontrolled immigration."
Rep. Le Pen also posted a video showing himself in front of the French flag and criticized the Macronist government, saying, "It has lost both strength and direction."
The BBC pointed out that the National Assembly, which is divided into left, right, and center without a majority party, has been virtually paralyzed, and President Macron is in a 'lame duck' state, so this situation is increasing tension throughout France, from the political world to the streets.
Due to high public debt and fiscal deficit, the financial market is watching France's fiscal consolidation amid uncertainty, but the French government is in a difficult position as cutting public services or welfare budgets could add fuel to public opinion that is already inflamed with anger.
The French people are angry that politicians are passing the blame to each other instead of finding a solution.
Edouard, a teacher and father of three, told the BBC: "While we are worried about our safety, they are using this situation as a political game board before the election."
There are also calls that the presidential election should serve as an opportunity to be more proactive in resolving the education reform issue that started this situation.
In a column written in Le Monde on the 17th, renowned economist Thomas Piketty pointed out, "Considering the inflation rate and the increase in the number of students, the education budget per student has been cut by 20% in real terms compared to 2017 when President Macron's term began," adding, "The central issue in France must be reinvestment in education."
Piketty wrote that the statement by the government and its supporters that 'France does not have the finances to invest in education' is not true, that it is all a 'issue of distribution' and building another economic development model, and that 'I hope this will be at the center of the upcoming election.'
