Political reactions to the riots after PSG victory: RN and LFI clash

Paris – 03.06.2026: Following Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) triumph in the UEFA Champions League on 30 May 2026, serious riots took place in several French cities, especially in Paris. More than 890 people were arrested and 178 police officers were injured. The situation escalated particularly on the Champs-Élysées, where around 20,000 fans gathered. There were reports of vandalism, looting, and even attacks on police stations. This unrest recalls similar riots after PSG’s first Champions League victory last year.

The political reactions to these events are highly controversial. Bruno Retailleau, former Minister of the Interior and presidential candidate for The Republicans, sharply condemned the violence. He spoke of “barbaric behavior” and demanded stricter prosecution. In addition, he criticized the current juvenile criminal justice system as inadequate to respond appropriately to the intensity of the violence.

By contrast, Clémence Guetté, a member of parliament for La France Insoumise (LFI), criticized the conduct of the police. She accuses the security forces of acting disproportionately against peaceful celebrants and, among other things, firing “grenades at young people.” Guetté called for a nuanced analysis of the events and warned against political instrumentalization by the far right.

Jordan Bardella, chairman of the Rassemblement National (RN), spoke of “images of a civil war situation” and criticized the police response as too hesitant. He called for a tough crackdown on the riots and stressed the need to restore public order.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu defended the police operation and criticized the “reversal of narratives and values” by some political actors. He emphasized the importance of supporting the security forces and the duty to maintain public order.

These differing positions reflect the deep divisions in French politics. While the RN takes a hard line, LFI calls for greater calm and criticizes the police operation. The debate shows the growing challenges France faces in dealing with public unrest, as well as the different views on restoring security and order.

Moreover, the events raise questions about social divisions and deeper social problems. Experts point out that the riots go beyond mere sporting celebrations 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 issue. The opposing views make clear the complexity of the situation and the difficulties of finding sustainable solutions to the underlying social challenges.