Macron jets out of riot-torn France for Gulf trip as political pressure mounts
French President Emmanuel Macron departed for a Gulf tour including Kuwait and Qatar to secure energy supplies as riots and violent protests raged across France over soaring living costs and declining public services. Macron launched the trip hours after condemning unbridled domestic violence in a national address. The journey aims to address high fuel prices through diesel deals and winter liquefied natural gas supplies. However, the departure drew intense political backlash from opposition figures Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Melenchon, who accused the president of being out of touch.
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- ✓ French President Emmanuel Macron left for a Gulf tour on Monday to secure energy supplies as violent protests and riots raged across France.
- ✓ Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Melenchon criticized Macron for leaving the country amid the domestic unrest.
- ✓ Macron arrived in Kuwait and met with the emir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
What changed
French President Emmanuel Macron left France for a Gulf tour to secure energy deals while domestic protests and riots persisted over high living costs.
Live updates
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Macron Visits Gulf Amid French Riots
French President Emmanuel Macron departed for a Gulf tour including Kuwait and Qatar to secure energy supplies as riots and violent protests raged across France over soaring living costs and declining public services. Macron launched the trip hours after condemning unbridled domestic violence in a national address. The journey aims to address high fuel prices through diesel deals and winter liquefied natural gas supplies. However, the departure drew intense political backlash from opposition figures Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Melenchon, who accused the president of being out of touch.
Why it matters
Domestic unrest erupted over the weekend as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators mobilized against surging inflation and shrinking public services. Amid this pressure, France seeks to secure long-term energy security through bilateral agreements in the Gulf. The tour includes diplomatic engagements concerning defense and civilian nuclear programs alongside energy procurement.
What is confirmed
- French President Emmanuel Macron left for a Gulf tour on Monday to secure energy supplies as violent protests and riots raged across France.
- Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Melenchon criticized Macron for leaving the country amid the domestic unrest.
- Macron arrived in Kuwait and met with the emir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Still unconfirmed
- Bahrain has agreed to develop a civilian nuclear program with France.
What to watch next
- Further announcements regarding energy and diesel deals from Macron's Gulf tour
- Developments in domestic protests and government responses to fuel prices in France
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (14)
- Fox News — Macron jets out of riot-torn France for Gulf trip as political pressure mounts
- The Economist — Europe’s voice in the Middle East
- France 24 — Macron secures diesel deals on Gulf visit as fuel prices stoke unrest in France
- Le Monde.fr — Macron starts Gulf tour after protests and violence in France
- Euronews.com — France's Macron begins state visit to Qatar as part of wider Gulf tour
- Al Jazeera — As Macron visits Gulf, can France forge its own energy-for-security future?
- The National — UAE and France deepen defence ties with Rafale F5 fighter-jet deal
- Al Jazeera — Macron lines up more Gulf diesel as France battles soaring fuel prices
- ua.news — Bahrain and France agree to develop civilian nuclear program — Anadolu Agency
- Middle East Eye — Macron told to not let Bahrain 'buy France's silence' as he tours Gulf
- Bloomberg.com — France’s Macron Secures Qatar LNG Supplies for Winter Period
- www.yahoo.com — Macron jets out of riot-torn France for Gulf trip as ... - Yahoo
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