France was unprepared for October 17 riots, Macron admits

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that authorities in the republic were unprepared for the nationwide unrest on October 17.

"We did not foresee what happened at all," Macron said during a visit to Marseille as he admitted that police were understaffed on that day. The president’s speech was broadcast on the Elysee Palace’s account on X.

According to the French leader, "on October 17, the left radical wing had been mobilizing since early morning in a scenario that is atypical of them."

Mass rallies against rising fuel prices and declining purchasing power took place across France, including in the capital, Paris, on October 17. 

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Source of information: Global News Agencies including REUTERS / TASS / AFP / ANADOLU / INT.RU / Al Jazeera / CNN