A French business owner, Michele Teboul, has expressed her concern that the French government's failure to protect businesses during last week's unrest may have severe consequences for the country. In an interview, Teboul said that President Emmanuel Macron and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez have one last chance to "save France" at this Saturday's protest.
Teboul's family owns 15 stores across various cities in France, including Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Montpellier. Five of these stores were completely destroyed by looters, who targeted street-wear and expensive merchandise. Teboul accused the authorities of failing to provide sufficient police presence to protect businesses, leaving families like hers facing significant financial losses and a difficult recovery.
Teboul's sons operate their own brand and have hired security guards with dogs to protect their stores. However, she emphasized that this is not a long-term solution and that the government needs to take more effective measures to protect businesses and restore a sense of security in France. She estimated that it would take at least two months to repair and secure the damaged stores to the required standards.
Teboul also expressed concern about the impact of the unrest on the Jewish community in France. Many Jews are considering leaving the country due to the rising uncertainty and insecurity. Teboul, a former director of CRIF, the umbrella organization representing French Jewish institutions, stressed that the problem is not specific to the Jewish community but is a national issue affecting people across France.
The French government has acknowledged its failures in responding to the unrest, and Teboul warned that another failure to protect the population could have consequences for the country's leadership, potentially even leading to the government's downfall.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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