Trump said he had warned Macron at the time that allowing large numbers of people from other countries to enter France was a mistake. According to Trump, the government had not taken the necessary measures to prevent the situation from worsening.
According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 46% of France’s population is Christian, while around 43% do not identify with any religion. Muslims account for approximately 9% of the population, while Hindus, Buddhists and followers of other religions together make up around 1%.
However, France does not routinely collect information about citizens’ religious affiliations during its census. As a result, population estimates may vary across different surveys.
A French government survey conducted in 2019-20 found that among people aged 18 to 59, 10% identified as Muslim and 29% identified as Catholic Christians. Meanwhile, 51% said they did not follow any religion.
Experts Say Immigration Alone Cannot Explain Violence
Trump has linked the violence in France to the country’s policy of allowing people from other nations to enter. However, experts say several other factors may also be contributing to the situation, including inflation, rising prices of everyday goods, economic difficulties, increasing pressure on public services and growing discontent among young people.
According to a Firstpost report, right-wing politicians and some commentators have been demanding stricter immigration policies.
Violent Clashes and Vandalism During Protests Against Inflation in France
Violent clashes broke out during protests in several French cities on October 17. The incidents reportedly included fires at government buildings, looting of shops and attacks on historic buildings.
French police have detained more than 2,400 people. Around 1,000 police officers and army personnel have also been injured while attempting to control the violence.
Following the unrest, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called an emergency government meeting on Monday. He called for curfews to be imposed from Monday evening in several cities, including Paris, Lille and Nice. He also said a state of emergency could be declared across the country if necessary.
Macron Warns Those Responsible for Vandalism Will Pay the Price
French President Emmanuel Macron promised strict action on Sunday following the violent protests. He said those responsible for vandalism and looting would have to pay the price for their actions.
Macron acknowledged that some demands raised by people participating in peaceful protests might be legitimate. However, he stressed that their demands should not be conflated with the actions of those involved in violence and vandalism.
He also questioned how French citizens could engage in acts against their own country.
Macron Faces One of the Most Difficult Periods of His Political Career
President Emmanuel Macron is going through one of the most difficult periods of his political career, with opponents describing him as the weakest president France has ever had.
In a recent survey, only 15% of respondents expressed a positive opinion of Macron, while 82% said they were dissatisfied with his performance.
Public anger is growing over inflation, a weak economy, rising government debt and concerns about education and other public services.
The combination of violent unrest, economic grievances and declining public approval has intensified pressure on the French government, while Trump’s remarks have brought renewed attention to the debate over immigration and its role in France’s current crisis.
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