International

Trail Of Destruction Left In France After Week-Long Violence

France witnessed protests following the killing of a teenager by police with the country witnessing widespread arrests and massive security deployment.

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French President Emmanuel Macron
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The week long riots which witnessed some respite on Tuesday have left behind the carcasses of burnt-out cars, melted garbage bins and countless graffiti tags calling for justice.

The graffiti tags in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, on the streets of the Pablo Picasso housing estate where killed teenager Nahel was born read "Justice for Nahel", reports said. 

The killing of a teenager by police has also weakened France President Emmanuel Macron, stated AP in its report.

It said France an “already-polarised country” has got close to impossible for Macron because a suburban police officer stopped a yellow Class A Mercedes and fired one fatal shot into the 17-year-old driver's chest, setting off six days of tumult across the country. 

It also stated changes in Macron’s agenda reflect another uncomfortable situation for the French leader three months ago, when the planned state visit of King Charles III to France was postponed due to violent protests against the pension changes.

“Macron has faced a succession of protests and street unrest, starting with the yellow vest movement against social injustice that broke out in 2018,” it said,

It added: “An increasing proportion of the population rejects institutions as part of a broader criticism of a social order that involves inequalities, that is ... basically quite hypocritical, with school in particular not allowing people to succeed as it once did,” the report said.

It mentioned: schools, city halls, police stations and other public institutions have been attacked.

How have the other countries reacted over France situation so far?

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was watching France's situation with concern.

“I hope very much, and I am convinced, that the French president will find ways for this situation to improve quickly,” he said reportedly. He added: “I don't expect France to become unstable, even if the pictures are of course very depressing."

The US, the UK and China were among those that called on citizens to exercise caution when travelling to France.