French Business Owner Issues Stark Warning to Macron as Unrest Continues

A French business owner has issued a dire warning to President Emmanuel Macron, stating that the country's future is at stake if decisive action is not taken to quell ongoing unrest. Michèle Teboul, who saw five of her family's stores completely destroyed by looters, believes the upcoming Saturday could be a critical turning point for France.

"Next Saturday is your last chance to save France," Teboul told Fox News Digital, addressing both Macron and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. "If they don’t do what’s necessary to do next Saturday, I think it’s lost for France." Her family's retail operations span across Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Montpellier.

Teboul criticized authorities for insufficient police presence, which she believes left businesses vulnerable. "We can say that five of the most important stores have been looted," she stated, describing the damaged locations as "completely destroyed." She also noted that looters used axes to break through security measures.

The aftermath of the looting has left her family facing significant financial and security challenges. They are now tasked with meeting new insurance requirements for repairs and enhanced security, which Teboul estimates will take at least two months to complete. "I think the winter season is dead," she said, expressing concern for the immediate economic impact.

Beyond the physical damage, Teboul highlighted a growing sense of insecurity, particularly within the Jewish community. As a former director of CRIF, an organization representing French Jewish institutions, she noted that many Jewish individuals are considering leaving France. "It’s going to be very hard to imagine a future in France for us, especially for Jews," she said.

However, Teboul stressed that the issue extends beyond the Jewish community, affecting all of France. "The specific problem of last Saturday is not a problem of Jews. The whole of France is concerned by this problem," she asserted.

She described the looters as targeting specific items like streetwear and expensive merchandise. Teboul accused the police of being overwhelmed during the unrest, particularly in cities like Marseille and Lyon, where she estimated large crowds descended upon city centers. "They were not enough," she said of the police response.

The French government has acknowledged shortcomings in its handling of the situation. Teboul distinguished between peaceful protesters and those who exploited the demonstrations for criminal activity, stating, "The looters, they took the opportunity that there were many people downtown, and then they came."

Teboul emphasized the urgent need for authorities to restore a sense of security. "We have to feel secure. We don’t feel secure for the moment." She warned that another failure to protect the public could have significant political repercussions, suggesting, "The government may fall down."