Macron vows to pursue saboteurs... and will visit the Gulf to secure energy

Listen to the article. The audio text is automated, generated by an automated system

French President Emmanuel Macron stressed on Sunday that there is no justification for the riots and violence taking place in France, stressing the need to prosecute those involved in acts of sabotage, in light of the protests taking place in the country.

Macron explained, during a press conference, that he understands the demands of the student demonstrators, stressing the need to listen to them and not confuse legitimate demands with acts of violence.

The French President also stressed that the authorities will provide protection for all shops to prevent them from being looted, stressing the need to take legal measures against the vandals.

Macron called for holding a dialogue table to address the problems facing the country, indicating the importance of reaching solutions through discussion and listening to the demands put forward.

Regarding the energy file, Macron announced that he will go on a tour tomorrow, Monday, to the Gulf states, as part of France’s efforts to secure its energy imports.

He pointed out that his country is working to secure energy sources and try to contain the rise in fuel prices, in light of the pressures facing the energy markets.

The protest crisis in France began last September, with student movements in a number of secondary schools, protesting the shortage of teachers and the decline in educational services, before the scope of the protests expanded to include social and economic demands, including rising costs of living, fuel prices, and declining purchasing power.

As the movements expanded, trade unions and protest groups joined the demonstrations, which spread to a number of French cities, and some of the marches witnessed confrontations with the police, acts of sabotage and looting of stores and public buildings, which prompted the authorities to strengthen security measures and deal with those involved in the violence.

The intensity of the unrest escalated on Saturday, October 17, with widespread protests taking place across the country, amid discrepancies in estimates of the number of participants between the authorities and unions. The Ministry of Interior announced the participation of about 550,000 people, while the General Labor Union estimated the number of demonstrators at about 800,000. According to what was reported by Reuters.

Following the confrontations, the number of people arrested and injured among the security forces increased, while the government faced pressure to contain the unrest and respond to social demands, while emphasizing the necessity of separating the right to demonstrate from acts of sabotage.

In a related context, Macron announced his intention to go to the Gulf states on Monday, with the aim of securing France’s energy imports, stressing that the government is working to contain the rise in fuel prices, one of the most prominent economic issues that worries the French.