India, Oct. 19 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has categorically condemned the unbridled violence that consumed multiple cities across the country over the weekend, declaring on Sunday evening that nothing justifies the widespread destruction of public and private property.

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators initially took to the streets on Saturday to peacefully protest the soaring cost of living and deteriorating school conditions, but the mass mobilisation quickly devolved into severe clashes with heavily armoured riot police. The chaotic weekend of unrest resulted in more than 2,300 arrests nationwide, leaving regional mayors in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille to assess the extensive financial toll of the rioting.

Macron Addresse...