French President Emmanuel Macron accused some foreign leaders of using France’s unrest for political gain after U.S. President Donald Trump blamed immigration, as the country prepared for further protests.
Speaking in Doha, Macron called comments by foreign leaders “unacceptable and stupid” and said those facing elections were seeking political advantage from the disorder, Anadolu Agency reported. Trump said Tuesday that immigration, rather than grievances over education, drove the unrest, according to the agency.
Macron said he saw no visible foreign interference in the Oct. 17 events themselves, Anadolu Agency’s French-language coverage reported. He said artificial intelligence had been used to create images depicting events that had not occurred in France after the demonstrations.
Students first mobilized over school funding. Unions and other groups later joined protests over living costs, Anadolu Agency reported. Fuel prices were also a concern, while damage to shops and public buildings accompanied the Oct. 17 demonstrations, as earlier EconoTimes coverage of the unrest detailed.
Macron acknowledged protesters’ concerns in an Oct. 18 address while condemning the damage. Merchants bore some of the cost, and he pledged government help for affected businesses.
Macron said authorities had imposed curfews and restrictions on gatherings and would use measures permitted by law to prevent further disorder. More protests are planned for Oct. 24.
