After yesterday's yellow vest demonstrations in France, Macron addressed the nation from the Elysee Palace in the capital Paris.
Macron said, "My dear citizens, I am addressing you this evening at an extremely serious time." he said.
Referring to the violent incidents in yesterday's demonstrations, Macron said, "Yesterday, on Saturday, October 17, far-left marginal groups caused uncontrolled violence in our cities, with many criminals contributing to them." he said.
Macron called on political parties and labor unions to unequivocally condemn the violence during the demonstrations, and pointed out that governors could take decisions that could go as far as banning some demonstrations to protect cities.
"The country needs order and tranquility, not escalation of tension." Macron said that many shops were looted and attacks were carried out on stores, public buildings and municipal buildings.
"How could the French do this to France?"
When Macron looked at the footage of the demonstrations, everyone in the country said, "What are they thinking? How can the French do this to France?" he stated that he asked.
"It is unbearable to see the streets of our cities destroyed in this way." Macron said that everyone felt anger and shame for what happened in the demonstrations.
"How can they get to this point?"
Pointing out that he could not understand the setting on fire of the Limoges City Hall and the tourism office in the city of Lyon, the entry into the city hall of Marseille, and the attack on the governor's house in Bordeaux, Macron said, "How could they reach this point? Nothing can justify this. Nothing can explain this. Nothing can excuse this." made his assessment.
Noting that some tradesmen protect their stores from criminals themselves, Macron said, "I want to tell them that they will not be alone in the face of these difficulties." he said.
Macron noted that the government will offer the necessary solutions to the tradesmen starting tomorrow and announced that French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu will chair a crisis meeting tomorrow to help the tradesmen as quickly as possible.
Stating that law enforcement forces were exposed to unprecedented violence in many cities yesterday, Macron said, "(Law enforcement forces) endured and did their best." he said.
"Those who try to overthrow the Republic must be held accountable."
Stating that Lecornu will gather representatives of political parties, unions, high school and university students in the coming days, Macron demanded transparency about his strategy to ensure public order.
"I have instructed the government to learn all the necessary lessons in intelligence and foresight and ensure that this does not happen again," Macron said. He expressed that he wants clear answers about what happened in the demonstrations and investigations in this direction.
Noting that Minister of Justice Gerald Darmanin instructed the prosecutors to act strictly on this issue, Macron said, "Those who destroyed must pay the cost. Those who looted must compensate for the damage. Those who tried to overthrow the Republic must be held accountable." he said.
Macron noted that a distinction should be made between those who wreak havoc and the demonstrators, and pointed out that he understood the demonstrators who expressed their concerns about the high cost of living and fuel prices.
"I understand our high school and university students"
Arguing that he found the source of these concerns in the war that started with the US-Israel attacks on Iran, Macron emphasized that France was taking measures to secure its oil supply.
“I understand our high school and college students.” Macron said that students' voices should be heard.
Macron noted that, as the government, they should hear this anger, take action on its causes and at the same time protect the republic, and underlined that they will never make concessions against those who burn and destroy things during the demonstrations.
Noting that France deserves to hold a good presidential election within 6 months as planned, Macron emphasized that they are in favor of dialogue and oppose all kinds of violence.
Yellow vests, supported by students, organized demonstrations across the country yesterday against the cost of living and high fuel prices.
While approximately 2,400 people were detained in yesterday's demonstrations across the country, approximately 1,000 police officers, gendarmerie soldiers and firefighters were injured.
As part of the demonstrations, a demonstrator fell ill in Paris and died, while a demonstrator's hand was severed in the city of Saint-Etienne.
