How should France's government respond to the violent nationwide protests over the cost of living?
A day of violent cost-of-living and school-funding protests across France on October 17–18, 2026 led to roughly 1,800 arrests and saw the clock tower of Limoges's 143-year-old town hall collapse after rioters set it ablaze.
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Order must be restored. To protest is one thing, to riot and destroy property is quite another. Macron has been slow to react to growing discontent and that's on him. But some of the protesters' demands are unrealistic too. Tough spot for Macron.
There's some evidence that there've been agent-provocateurs at work.
if you picked "crack down harder" — how far does that go, water cannons are already out there, what's the next line you're fine with crossing?