Political reaction to the riots following PSG's victory: RN and LFI in a state of conflict

Paris – 03.06.2026: After Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) victory in the UEFA Champions League on May 30, 2026, serious riots broke out in several French cities, especially in Paris. More than 890 people were arrested and 178 police officers were injured. The situation was most tense on the Champs-Élysées, where about 20,000 fans gathered. There were acts of vandalism, looting and even attacks on police stations. These riots recall similar unrest after PSG won the Champions League for the first time last year.

The political reaction to these events has been highly controversial. Bruno Retailleau, former Interior Minister and presidential candidate for The Republicans, strongly condemned the violence. He called it “the behaviour of savages” and demanded harsher criminal prosecution. He also criticized the current juvenile justice system as insufficiently capable of properly handling this level of violence.

By contrast, Clémence Guetté, a deputy for La France Insoumise (LFI), criticized the police measures. She accused security forces of overreacting to peaceful celebrants, including “shooting tear gas at young people.” Guetté called for a thorough analysis of the events and warned that far-right political actors could exploit the situation.

Jordan Bardella, President of the National Rally (RN), called it “images of a civil war” and criticized the police response as too hesitant. He called for a tougher approach to the riots and emphasized the need to restore public order.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu defended the police operations and criticized the “reversal of narrative and values” by some politicians. He stressed the importance of supporting the security forces and the responsibility to ensure public order.

These differing views reflect deep divisions in French politics. While the RN takes a hard line, LFI calls for more calm and criticizes police methods. The debate highlights the growing challenges France faces in handling public riots as well as the diverse views on how to restore security and order.

Furthermore, the events raise questions about social division and deeper social issues. Experts note that the riots go beyond mere sporting celebration and reflect deeper social tensions.

Overall, the political discussion about responsibility and how to deal with the riots following PSG’s victory remains a central topic. The opposing viewpoints underline the complexity of the situation and the difficulties in finding sustainable solutions to underlying social challenges.