police violence
Unrest in France: Over a billion euros in damage
Damage in France’s capital Paris after the riots caused by police violence. photo
© Michel Euler/AP/dpa
While the violence after a deadly traffic stop slowly subsides, France’s employers’ association is concerned about the financial consequences – including for tourism.
The damage caused by the ongoing unrest in France estimates the employers’ association at over a billion euros. “It’s too early to give an exact number, but we’re at over a billion euros without taking into account the damage to tourism,” said the head of the French employers’ association Medef, Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux, the newspaper “Le Parisien” on Monday evening.
Over 200 shops were completely looted, 300 bank branches were destroyed and 250 tobacconists were damaged. The rioters acted with absolute violence and even stole the cash register before setting it on fire. “The videos of the unrest that were circulating around the world are damaging France’s image,” said the employer boss. “It’s always difficult to say whether the impact will be permanent, but there will certainly be a drop in bookings this summer, although the season has been promising.” Some stays have already been cancelled.
There are also problems in the suburbs, but the economy is picking up there too and ultimately the unrest indicates a problem with the state’s authority, said the head of the employers’ association. “There is a rioting minority in the suburbs, but a silent majority that works and contributes to the country’s economic prosperity.”
Since the death of 17-year-old Nahel by a police bullet during a traffic check last Tuesday, France has been shaken by massive riots, especially at night. There were repeated looting, arson attacks and violent confrontations between police officers and rioters. More than 3,000 people have been arrested across the country since the riots began.