France riots and protests continue. Is the situation serious this time?

 

The historic city hall in Limonges France burns. Fox News/AFP/Getty.

Major riots have continued over the weekend in France. Fox News. The current round of protests started in September, officially over poor conditions in France's schools. France has a long history of protest movements, but the country was shocked by the damage and looting taking place in this round. Most notably, a historic city hall in Limonges was destroyed during the riots. The loss of the city hall is irreplicable, given the historic art integrated into the building. Police report over 1800 people arrested throughout France. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence, but was spotted at a Celine Dion concert. 

My Comment:

Folks are rightly concerned about these riots. France, of course, has a long history of riots and protests. The level of violence here is a lot more than folks are used too. 

Generally speaking, riots and protests in France usually don't target much beyond unlucky cars and the police. This time though? A lot of small businesses got looted, even some homes were targeted. And the loss of the city hall in Limonges is a major cultural loss. That is fairly new. Indeed, this reminds me a lot of the 2020 riots in the United States, where it was clear that it was more about destroying things than actually protesting.

But does this mean France is doomed? Well, no. Indeed, just like 2020 in the United States, it could mean that the the violent left is at their peak and new leadership could calm things down, especially if the right wing wins, as they are predicted to do. Antifa is a spent force here in the United States and it's just because law enforcement actually attempted to do something about them. There is no reason why Macron's replacement couldn't do the same thing. 

Speaking of Macron, him being at a Celine Dion concert instead of running the country while the worst of the riots were going on. To be sure, that is a terrible look. Macron is a lame duck, to be sure, but he should at least act like he is still in charge. 

I will also say that the riots tend to follow the same pattern as the 2020 Black Lives Matter riots did here in the United States. In short, the peaceful protesters are acting as cover for the black block antifa militants, the Muslim extremists and the normal criminals that are doing all the damage. It's a pattern that has been repeated time and time again. 

That doesn't mean that there protests are completely invalid though. France is in a rough spot to be sure. Their unemployment is high, their GDP is lower than their debt and the country is facing major issues with demographic changes. It's clear that France will have to tighten the belt at some point but that's the last thing people who are struggling want to here. 

Regardless, I think this situation would be better had France done something about their large immigrant community. Much of this violence is coming from Muslims, be they citizens or recent migrants, and that is entirely a self-inflicted wound on France. Should those people be deported, France would still have problems, most notably with the black block antifa types, but the problem would be a lot less severe. 

Either way, I don't think this is in any way the "end of France" like so many people are saying on social media. Indeed, this is only slightly worse than the status quo ante for them, protesting is a national sport and riots are very common. If we see Macron dragged out into the streets, yeah, then we can worry France is falling. But until then? I don't see it happening.