French President Emmanuel Macron chaired a crisis meeting of ministers on Sunday (October 18) and was expected to address the nation following a day of violent protests.

Nationwide demonstrations erupted into riots on Saturday, with a town hall torched, shops ransacked, and buildings covered in graffiti as violent groups clashed with police in cities across the country.

One protester died after suffering a cardiac arrest during demonstrations in Paris. Police made more than 2,000 arrests across France, while more than 600 officers were injured, the interior minister said.

President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation at 8 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Sunday, his office said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 18, 2026) (AGENCY POOL - Access all)

1. MINISTERS AT MEETING INCLUDING EDUCATION MINISTER EDOUARD GEFFRAY AT MEETING

2. GEFFRAY, FRENCH PRIME MINISTER SEBASTIEN LECORNU ENTERING

3. MINISTERS / FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON WALKING IN AND GREETING PARTICIPANTS, SITTING DOWN

4. MACRON / MEETING BEGINNING