France is seeing its greatest rioting in years as citizens become enraged by attempts to control government spending.

Ahead of a crucial government vote on the budget, widespread protests about rising living expenses and deteriorating public services became violent this weekend, causing France to experience its worst unrest in years. According to the interior ministry, protests turned into riots on Saturday, with about 2,400 people arrested, stores robbed or damaged, and buildings covered in graffiti as aggressive gangs clashed with police in cities around the nation. The ministry reported that nearly 1,000 gendarmes and police personnel were hurt.

President Emmanuel Macron, whose last few months in office are increasingly characterized by growing political, economic, and social unrest, ordered an investigation into any shortcomings in police readiness or intelligence gathering. He also requested that the government convene business leaders, legislators, teachers, students, and unions this week to develop “concrete proposals” to deal with the crisis.

In an effort to reduce the nation’s mounting deficit, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s minority government is seeking €54 billion ($61 billion) in fiscal reductions in its 2027 budget. On Tuesday, the National Assembly is scheduled to formally vote on the first section of the law.

An inquiry into potential deficiencies in police preparedness or information collection was mandated by President Emmanuel Macron, whose final months in power have been marked by escalating political, economic, and social upheaval. In order to create “concrete proposals” to address the situation, he also asked that the government bring together legislators, corporate executives, educators, students, and unions this week.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s minority government is requesting €54 billion ($61 billion) in fiscal cuts in its 2027 budget in an attempt to lower the country’s growing debt. The National Assembly will formally vote on the first part of the measure on Tuesday. In a televised address Sunday evening, Macron said: “Looking at these images, we have all asked ourselves: What was going through their minds? How can French people do this to France?”

“Nothing justifies it, nothing explains it, nothing excuses it,” he said, pledging an “uncompromising” response to “agitators from ultra-left fringe groups, joined by numerous delinquents.”

Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave reported that up to 100 establishments were looted, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported on Sunday that several hundred stores suffered significant material damage. Police confirmed in a statement that one demonstrator died of cardiac arrest during protests in Paris, but they did not provide any other information. Bicycles were set on fire as police used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the demonstration at Paris’s Place de la République on Sunday afternoon.

Roland Lescure, the nation’s economics minister, has promised government assistance to business owners who have been negatively impacted by the rioting.

Macron’s government is “running on fumes, exhausted and disoriented,” according to far-right opposition leader Marine Le Pen, who is the front-runner for the presidency next year. The country may be on the verge of “events that could finally turn uncontrollable,” according to far-left politician and presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who claimed Macron needs to respond to the demands of the demonstrating high school students.