Macron vows accountability after violent protests in France

French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that people responsible for looting during nationwide protests would face legal penalties and be required to pay for damage, after Saturday’s demonstrations over living costs and school conditions were followed by violent clashes and destruction across France. The Interior Ministry reported nearly 2,400 arrests and almost 1,000 police and gendarmes injured during Saturday’s unrest. One official account put the injury total at 997, including seven people seriously hurt. Those figures were issued by authorities; reports gave different arrest totals as the situation was still being assessed. Macron said he had asked Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to draw lessons from the security response, particularly on intelligence gathering and anticipating unrest. He said he expected clear answers and full transparency. The review’s findings have not been reported. The president also said prefects would coordinate with mayors on measures to protect public buildings and businesses, including banning certain gatherings when necessary. His announcement concerned possible restrictions on specific gatherings, not a general ban on demonstrations....