President Emmanuel Macron on Monday accused social media of “damaging our democracies”, as he lamented the turmoil France faces ahead of an election to pick his successor, as authorities battle with nationwide cost-of-living protests that have spilled over into violence.
He said on a visit to Marseille that social media was especially used during unrest on October 17 “to bring young and not-so-young people to places where criminal acts, attacks and looting were taking place”. He described social media as “tools for mobilising the worst impulses”.
France has been rocked by widespread anger over the rising cost of living, with nationwide demonstrations on October 17 degenerating into some of the country’s worst rioting in years.
The demonstrations have come six months ahead of a presidential election to replace centrist Macron.
Frontrunner, far-right leader Marine Le Pen, held an election rally in Orleans on Sunday, a day after yet more demonstrations also saw some violent clashes on the sidelines, though nothing like a week prior.
Polls show the protests and ensuing disorder have boosted support for Le Pen, as the government and Macron faced sharp criticism for not preventing the unrest.
Authorities have admitted to security and intelligence failures that paved the way for the clashes, large-scale looting and vandalism of public property that erupted on October 17, and had stepped up security for Saturday’s protests.
While Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the outcome of Saturday’s rallies was more “positive” than a week ago, street violence still erupted in the French capital and a number of other cities including Marseille.
After this weekend’s protests, many shopfronts in Marseille’s centre were still boarded up early Monday, just hours before Macron’s arrival.
Macron’s visit was intended to demonstrate that “the state is present, standing firm and fulfilling its mission to protect,” an aide said.
