French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday criticized comments from foreign leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, after a new poll suggested a majority of French citizens associate recent violent protests with migration. The unrest, which has seen clashes with police and widespread property damage in cities across France, has drawn international attention and debate over its causes.
Macron condemns foreign leaders' remarks
Macron described comments from foreign leaders as "unacceptable" and "stupid," stating that some politicians were exploiting the situation for their own purposes. He specifically referenced Trump’s remarks, which blamed the violence on migration. "There was foreign disinformation in the aftermath, which prompted comments that were as unacceptable as they were stupid from many people, including foreign leaders," Macron told reporters, according to Reuters. He emphasized that claims of France being "invaded by hordes of migrants" were false.
Trump, posting on his Truth Social platform, wrote: "France is burning! The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country. Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!"
Poll shows majority link protests to migration
A poll conducted by France’s CSA Institute found that 55% of French respondents believe there is a direct link between migration and the violent protests sweeping the country. The survey, which included 1,000 participants, revealed that 35% disagreed with this view, while 10% did not express an opinion. The protests, which began as demonstrations by students over public services and education, escalated into broader unrest involving far-left groups and clashes with police.
International reactions and ongoing tensions
Trump’s comments have been echoed by some U.S. Republican figures, including Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson, who have referenced the unrest in campaign speeches ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. They have suggested that similar tensions could arise in the U.S. if immigration policies are not tightened.
In contrast, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called on Macron to address the protesters’ demands, while protests in solidarity with French demonstrators took place in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Albania, and Greece. Separate demonstrations in Greece focused on education services.
Macron’s response and future protests
Macron has vowed to prevent a repeat of the recent violence, which included looting and arson in several French cities. Student union UNEF and the anti-establishment Gilets Jaunes movement have called for additional rallies this weekend. The president has faced criticism for his recent diplomatic tour of Gulf countries amid the domestic turmoil.
The protests, which have seen thousands of demonstrators take to the streets, continue to reflect broader concerns over public services, economic conditions, and immigration policy in France.