
学習環境改善と生活費高騰への抗議が激化、商店の略奪や放火が相次ぐ
フランス全土で学習環境改善と生活費高騰に抗議する大規模デモが発生。主催者発表で80万人が参加したが、一部が暴徒化し放火や略奪が行われた。18日までに約1800人が逮捕され、警察・消防を含む500人以上が負傷した。
AI-generated summary
9月から高校生によるデモが続いており、生活費の高騰に対する不満が背景にある。
【パリ時事】フランスで17日、学習環境の改善を求める高校生と、生活費の高騰に不満を募らせる労組関係者らが合同で政府に抗議するデモを行った。内務省によると、全国で推計55万人(主催者発表80万人)が参加。暴徒も紛れ込み、放火や破壊行為、当局との衝突を繰り返した。商店は略奪被害に遭った。18日までに約1800人が逮捕され、警察・消防は500人以上が負傷した。
首都パリでは11万人が数キロをデモ行進。9月に始まった高校生デモを支持する急進左派野党「不屈のフランス」からは幹部らが駆け付けた。一方、暴徒は路上で投石や放火を重ね、警官隊が放水車、催涙ガスで対応。混乱は17日深夜まで続いた。
中部リヨンでは観光案内所に火が放たれ、炎に包まれた。磁器で有名な中部リモージュでも市庁舎が炎上。南部マルセイユでは覆面集団が市庁舎の玄関をこじ開け侵入し、フランスを象徴する女性「マリアンヌ」の胸像を倒した。AFP通信によれば、暴徒は「革命だ」と叫んでいた。
全国で1500近い小売店が襲撃を受け、被害額は数億ユーロ(数百億~千数百億円)に上る見込み。マルセイユで携帯電話ショップを経営する男性はテレビで「(暴徒が)全て壊し、全て持ち去った。いつまで店を閉めればいいかすら分からない」と話した。
マクロン大統領はSNSで「暴力は決して許されない」と強調。「混乱を広める者に対し、われわれは一丸となって立ち向かう」と訴えた。ヌニェス内相は記者団に「極左が暴動を呼び掛け、抗議を暴力に変え、警察を攻撃した」と非難した。

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the arson and looting that took advantage of the large-scale demonstrations that drew 550,000 people across the country, and vowed to hold those involved in the riots accountable. At the same time, he promised that the government would listen to the voices of the high school students and workers who peacefully protested with permission and would work to resolve the issue.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for not enforcing sanctions against Russia, calling it Putin's remark to incite war. He also mentioned the easing of sanctions to curb energy prices, and expressed concern about the impact of Starlink speed limits on military operations.

U.S.-South Korea relations are deteriorating in a wide range of areas, from investment to security. South Korea's ambassador to the US, Kang Kyung-wha, has publicly acknowledged problems with intelligence cooperation, and the Coupang customer information leak and delays in investments in the US have caused dissatisfaction with the Trump administration. The Lee Jae-myung administration is seeking to repair relations with a view to golf diplomacy as its pro-China image spreads among MAGA supporters.

It has been 70 years since Japan and the Soviet Union signed the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration, which stipulated that the Habomai Islands and Shikotan Island in the Northern Territories would be handed over after the conclusion of the peace treaty, but after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Putin administration objected to sanctions against Russia and suspended peace treaty negotiations. Russia has made it clear that the territorial issue has been "settled," and President Putin has strengthened his hard-line stance by making his first visit to Etorofu Island. Furthermore, Russia's hard-line policy toward Japan also shows consideration for China, and Japan-Russia relations continue to be greatly influenced by the international situation.

On the 17th in France, high school students demanding improved learning environments and labor union officials dissatisfied with the soaring cost of living held a joint demonstration against the government, with an estimated 550,000 participants across the country. Roughly 1,200 people were arrested after the mob mixed in and committed arson, vandalism, and clashes with police. Shops were looted and there were attacks on public buildings in Paris, Lyon, Limoges, Marseille and other cities. President Macron has stressed that he will not tolerate violence, and Interior Minister Nuñez has accused the far left of calling for the riots.

There are only six months left until the French presidential election. Opinion polls show Marine Le Pen (58), former leader of the far-right opposition National Union, leading the party in terms of approval ratings. Former prime minister Philippe (55) and Attal (37) from the centrist ruling party intend to run, but no progress has been made in consolidating the candidates. Le Pen blames previous governments for the worsening finances and appeals to people to vote for her. Even though he was found guilty in the appeals court for the embezzlement of public funds, he maintained his right to vote and declared a halt to financial aid to Ukraine. Mélenchon (75), a radical left-wing candidate, is gaining support among young people, but polls show that Le Pen will win a majority of support in the run-off. In Europe, there has been a noticeable shift to the right in Italy, Germany, and Spain.