Foto: BB.LV / Макрон
French President Emmanuel Macron criticized world leaders who, according to him, are campaigning "at the expense of France," making "unacceptable and even foolish comments" about the unrest that erupted in the country over the past weekend. Hinting specifically at U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he stated: "There are people who are campaigning at the expense of France — leaders who are in campaign mode, whether here in the region or across the Atlantic," he noted. While many protesters took to mass demonstrations across France peacefully, large-scale looting and clashes with police overshadowed the actions organized by unions, the "yellow vests" movement, and students. Speaking in Doha during a visit to Qatar, Macron dismissed claims that the events were a result of foreign interference. He condemned "subsequent external manipulation of information that led to equally unacceptable and foolish comments from many people, including foreign leaders." He criticized leaders who spread fake videos created using artificial intelligence. "We had people explaining that the country was being attacked by hordes of migrants and Islamists," he noted. U.S. President Donald Trump is currently actively campaigning ahead of the midterm elections and is trying to use the French protests — mostly peaceful until the outbreak of violence on October 17 — as a reason to talk about migration threats and the supposed decline of Western civilization. On Monday, Trump stated that France is "besieged, looted, and burned by migrants, jihadists, and communists." He describes the unrest in a way that suggests the same fate awaits America if the Democrats win. Macron told reporters that France has enough internal issues not to fuel tensions from outside, adding: "In such moments, it is clear who loves France and who does not." ## ## Emergency measures ahead of new protests Macron also announced that he would convene an emergency meeting with ministers and intelligence chiefs on Thursday to receive a "detailed report" on the events of October 17. The government has already acknowledged that it failed to manage the situation that day. He emphasized that a "plan of action" was presented on Monday morning, including a curfew and restrictions on mass gatherings, which will remain in effect ahead of new protests scheduled for October 24. "Those who intend to sow disorder in city centers on Saturday will be prohibited from doing so." He also stressed the importance of dialogue with unions and political forces. "In the current circumstances, everyone must take responsibility. There has been too much ambiguity. People claimed that there are some forms of legitimate violence: no, there is no such thing as legitimate violence." "The onset of violence becomes a justification for what happens next. In a democracy, nothing justifies violence," he said. Macron's state visit to Qatar is part of his three-day trip to the Gulf countries aimed at securing energy supplies for France amid the government's efforts to alleviate the cost of living crisis, which has become one of the causes of unrest across the country. On Tuesday, he announced that the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain promised to supply an additional total of 200,000 tons of diesel fuel per month to France.
