Sébastien Lecornu assured, Saturday October 17, that"we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated", warning those who want to carry out violence on the sidelines of the demonstrations"a warm-up round"before the presidential election.
Demonstrators took over the Champs-Élysées, tensions arose with the police, and individuals attempted to approach the Élysée. In Lille, demonstrators forced several entrances to the town hall.
The Prime Minister said on X:"They faced extremely intense violence to protect our fellow citizens and they deserve all of our support."He added: “At a time when some are seeking to cast shame on our police forces, I want to tell the French that they can be proud of their police officers and their gendarmes.”.
Regarding the instructions given, he indicated that they are clear: “prevent abuses, protect property and people, arrest their perpetrators and bring them to justice.” Finally, he assured his determination"to see the discussions through to the end"of the"killers-payers"bill, the examination of which begins on October 27 in the Senate.