Sources confirm that violent clashes erupted in Biarritz this morning as thousands of demonstrators pushed against barricades erected for the G7 summit. Police deployed water cannon and tear gas after objects were thrown. Witnesses describe a sense of panic as smoke filled the streets.
I have seen the internal memos: security forces are stretched thin. The protest, organised by an umbrella group calling itself 'The Unwelcome', appears to be a direct challenge to the summit's agenda. No official statement yet from the interior ministry, but my contacts say they are bracing for further unrest.
This is a city on the edge. The question is how much more strain the police can take before something breaks.
