Scholz 'concerned' about French riots, Berlin and Paris integral to EU
2 Min Read
As riots in France continue and French President Emmanuel Macron postpones his Berlin trip, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stresses his concern regarding the events in Paris.
-
Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a media conference at an EU summit in Brussels, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP)
After French President Emmanuel Macron postponed a state visit to Germany due to the ongoing riots in Paris and a number of other French cities, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz explained, on Sunday, that he continues to follow the riots across France with concern.
In an ARD interview, Scholz stressed that France is a "friendly neighboring country" emphasizing that Paris and Berlin together "make sure that the European Union, which is so important to our common future, works well."
Scholz further stated, "That is why we are of course looking at (the riots) with concern, and I very much hope, and I am certainly convinced, that the French president will find ways to ensure that this situation improves quickly."
Earlier, the German presidency said that Macron called German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and "informed him of the situation in his country" as he asked for the visit scheduled for Sunday to be postponed.
French authorities arrested 1,311 protesters in the period ranging from Friday night to Saturday morning, marking the highest number of arrests since Nahel was murdered in cold blood in Nanterre, Paris.
Violent protests led to the ransacking of shops, and town halls were attacked all over France as the government fails to suppress popular anger in the country as the 45,000 law enforcement officers and armored vehicles deployed by the French Minister of Interior failed to deal with the uprising.
Observers say that the events have uncovered severe racial tensions in France, as protestors accuse authorities of targeting minorities.
Read more: Nahel's death exposes rooted division in France: Report
