Emergency Status Likely to be Declared in France Following Rise in Violence

Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, is expected to declare a state of emergency after meeting with his cabinet's security officials. This meeting was aimed at finding a way to end the widespread protests in the country. The protests in France, which initially began peacefully due to rising fuel prices, have now shifted focus to broader issues such as increasing living costs, rising taxes, and the overall economic policies of Macron's government. These protests have gradually turned violent. According to Reuters, protesters have turned central Paris into a battlefield and have damaged the famous Arc de Triomphe, located at Charles de Gaulle Square and at the intersection of the Champs-Élysées, which dates back to the early 19th century. The French riot police were caught off guard on Saturday (December 1) due to the significant presence of rioters in busy neighborhoods of Paris and damage to personal property, including cars, cafes, and wealthy homes. Reports indicate that the level of unrest and chaos in France has reached a point not seen since 1968, posing a significant challenge for the 40-year-old President. Macron, who returned to Paris from the G20 summit in Argentina on Sunday, visited the Arc de Triomphe, where rioters had written slogans such as 'Macron must resign' and 'the yellow vests will prevail' on its walls. The yellow vest protests began suddenly on November 17, blocking roads and preventing access to shops, fuel depots, and airports, with social media playing a significant role in spreading this spontaneous uprising. However, government officials claim that extremist right and left groups, as well as anarchists, were involved in escalating the protests into violence on Saturday. Benjamin Griveaux, the French government spokesman, announced the possibility of declaring a state of emergency to deal with the unrest. According to him, Macron is ready to negotiate with the protesters but will not change his policies. The government has stated that the aim of its new policies is to combat global warming. According to Reuters, as he announced his positions, city workers in Paris began collecting trash and broken glass from the protests, replacing restaurant windows, and cleaning the slogans off the Arc de Triomphe. The police reported that over 400 people were arrested in Paris during Saturday's protests, and 133 were injured. The police used over 10,000 tear gas canisters and water cannons to control the rioters. Before Macron's meeting with security officials and advisors on Sunday, he met with several police and firefighters on the famous Champs-Élysées under heavy security measures. According to the report, some protesters cheered him while others called for his resignation.