Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:48am on 19 Oct 2026,Monday International
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed strict action after nationwide cost-of-living protests in France turned violent, leaving two people dead and hundreds injured. Addressing the nation, he said “nothing can justify, explain or excuse violence” while promising transparency over the police response. Macron distinguished peaceful protesters with legitimate demands from rioters accused of looting, vandalism and arson. Authorities reported around 550,000 participants nationwide. Police used tear gas and stun grenades in Paris. A police officer died in Nantes after being struck by a vehicle, while a protester died near Paris. Investigations into both deaths are ongoing, as businesses and public buildings suffered extensive damage across multiple cities during one of France’s worst.
