Hungary and Poland have defended their tough immigration policies as violent riots in France revived fears among politicians and commentators of civil war, prompting an angry response from French President Emmanuel Macron.
In televised remarks Wednesday, Macron accused foreign leaders of exploiting the unrest and spreading misleading claims about a country already struggling with economic and political tensions.
“There was foreign manipulation of information which led to unacceptable and even stupid comments by many, including foreign leaders,” Macron told reporters during a visit to Qatar.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the destruction and violence in French cities demonstrated why his government would maintain strict border controls and immigration restrictions.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also warned against repeating the mistakes of other European countries, saying Poland would remain uncompromising on illegal immigration and public security.
Their comments followed some of France’s worst urban violence in years, as nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs and deteriorating public services descended into clashes with police, looting and attacks on public buildings.
FRENCH RIOTS SPARK DEBATE
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities, with about 2,400 people arrested during Saturday’s violence. Organizers said many demonstrators protested peacefully, but the massive destruction by large crowds joining the rallies fueled political debate across Europe about immigration, public order and the risk of deeper social conflict.
Rioters set vehicles ablaze, attacked businesses and damaged public buildings, while authorities reported widespread looting. In Limoges, a fire nearly destroyed the city’s historic 19th-century town hall.
Macron condemned what he described as radical “far-left insurrectionists and criminals” who exploited otherwise legitimate demonstrations.
However, analysts cautioned that far-left activists alone could not account for the scale of the violence, with looters and other offenders pursuing different objectives.
The unrest also prompted claims from foreign leaders that massive immigration from non-Western nations and Islamist extremism were responsible
HUNGARY DEFENDS BORDER CONTROLS
Magyar described the violence as senseless destruction and unjustified aggression, saying the events demonstrated why Hungary maintained some of Europe’s strictest migration policies.
“Seeing this senseless destruction and unjustified violence, perhaps it is now clear to everyone why Hungary takes the toughest possible stance on migration,” Magyar wrote on social media.
“We will not relax our efforts to protect our external borders or change our immigration policy,” he added.
The Hungarian leader warned that Europe faced serious challenges and argued that more European governments were recognizing the need for tougher immigration controls.
However, his comments drew criticism from Hungarian left-wing activist and Budapest councilor András Jámbor, who accused Magyar of exploiting the riots for political gain rather than addressing the protesters’ economic grievances.
POLAND REJECTS MIGRATION MISTAKES
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk adopted a similarly uncompromising position.
“Poland will not repeat the mistakes of other European countries, nor will it pay for them,” Tusk wrote on the platform X.
He said Poland would continue defending its borders against illegal migration, maintaining restrictive asylum policies and deporting foreigners who violated Polish law.
Both Hungary and Poland have erected extensive border fences and barriers to curb illegal migration, with Hungary fortifying its southern borders with Serbia and Croatia and Poland reinforcing its eastern frontier with Belarus. “On security issues, we will be relentless,” Tusk added, saying he had delivered the same message to European leaders in Brussels.
The statements highlighted how immigration and border security remain central political issues in Central Europe, even among governments seeking closer cooperation with the European Union.
MACRON CONDEMNS FOREIGN LEADERS
Macron reacted Wednesday angrily to foreign leaders who linked the riots to immigration and suggested that France had been overwhelmed by migrants and Islamist extremists.
Speaking during his visit to Qatar, the French president denounced what he described as foreign manipulation of information, including artificial intelligence-generated videos depicting events that never occurred.
His remarks appeared aimed particularly at U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had linked the violence to immigration and Islamist extremism.
Macron accused foreign politicians of using France’s difficulties for their own election campaigns, saying the country already had enough domestic problems to address.
He also rejected claims that migrants and Islamists were principally responsible for the disturbances, while acknowledging serious failures in maintaining public order.
LE PEN WARNS OF CRISIS
The riots have revived warnings from nationalist politicians, including Marine Le Pen, that France faces a dangerous escalation of social and political tensions.
Le Pen, a leading contender in France’s 2027 presidential election, described the unrest as evidence of a deepening crisis of confidence and a “threat to democracy.”
She accused Macron of lacking the credibility and authority needed to restore order, while National Rally president Jordan Bardella declared that France had been humiliated by the violence.
Le Pen’s criticism comes as she seeks to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction with Macron’s presidency, which ends next year.
An October Ipsos survey found that 32 percent of respondents would be satisfied to see Le Pen become president, compared with 33 percent for Bardella. The figures represented satisfaction with a potential presidency rather than first-round voting intentions.
FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Le Pen remains eligible to contest the April 2027 presidential election following a July appeals court ruling that shortened an earlier disqualification imposed after her conviction for what the court said was misusing European Parliament funds.
She continues to challenge the conviction and has announced her presidential candidacy.
A September OpinionWay survey suggested that Le Pen could receive around 34 percent of the first-round vote under several electoral scenarios, placing her among the leading contenders. However, the result of a possible second-round contest remains uncertain.
Her National Rally party has benefited politically from concerns about immigration, security and living standards, although Le Pen and Bardella have also faced criticism and declining personal ratings in recent weeks.
Macron, who cannot seek a third consecutive presidential term, faces mounting pressure to restore public confidence before voters choose his successor.
FRANCE FACES FURTHER PROTESTS
The demonstrations initially brought together trade unions, students and members of the Yellow Vest movement protesting rising living costs and deteriorating public services.
Violent far-left elements and opportunistic criminals exploited the gatherings, according to French authorities. Investigators are examining attacks on businesses and public buildings amid unrest that also left more than 1,000 police officers injured and resulted in thousands of arrests.
French authorities are preparing additional security measures ahead of more demonstrations expected Saturday, as Macron seeks to prevent another outbreak of violence. Student groups and Yellow Vest organizers have announced further protests, while trade unions are preparing a general strike on November 5.
In Hungary and Poland, the unrest has reinforced arguments for maintaining strict immigration policies, while Macron searches for ways to end the crisis engulfing one of the European Union’s most influential member states.
