MEPs clash over framing of riots during emergency debate

Far right and far left MEPs have clashedover their contrasting framing of the riots in France, Italy and Belgium during a European Parliament emergency debate.

France announced partial curfews in Paris and other cities yesterday after weekend demonstrations over soaring prices degenerated into some of the worst street violence in recent years.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu did not rule out imposing a state of emergency after the interior minister said police had "lost control".

MEPs agreed to the emergency debate at the opening of parliament in Strasbourg amid claims from the far right that rioters are "scum" who have "assorted with the far left",and counterclaims from far left MEPs that the far right is holding people suffering from the cost of living crisis in "contempt".

No Irish MEP had speaking time during last night's debate.

A number of far right and conservative MEPs from the Patriots Group and the European Conservatives and Reformists group attempted to frame the riots as linked to left wing policies and immigration.

French MEP and Patriots Group member François-Xavier Bellamy claimed this is "not just a problem for France but for all of Europe".

He blamed the leader of France's left-wing La France Insoumise party, Jean-Luc Melenchon, for stoking what happened.

Another Patriots Group member, Matthieu Valet, described rioters as "savages" who "pillaged".

He said while his group has been described as a "le Pen fascists", they are "standing up for France".

European Parliament Vice President and German MEP for the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Group, Katarina Barley, had to interrupt on at least two occasions due to the language being used.

The interventions included comments from French MEP for the European Conservatives and Reformists Group Nicolas Bay, who described rioters as "scum who loot", drawing links to immigration.

Ms Barley warned him about his remarks.

The views led to polar opposite statements from left leaning MEPs, who strongly criticised what they said were racist remarks and argued the real cause of the riots is the long-lasting and deepening cost of living crisis.

Responding to the comments, French MEP and Left Group member Manon Aubry said while shop windows can be fixed,"eyes lost, hands, lives snuffed out cannot" - referencing the injuries suffered by many protestors, the vast majority of whom she said were peaceful.

Christopher Clergeau, of the Progressive Alliance for Socialists and Democrats group, said 800,000 people initially protested due to the cost of living crisis and a lack of resources in schools, before he said heavy-handed police responses "poured oil on the fire".

French MEP and Greens group member Melissa Camara said while "800,000 people protested the cost of living" and had a right to do so, when this escalated "what does the right do? It blames immigrants".

She described this approach as an "injustice" to those of all backgrounds who have been affected by the riots in recent days.