Paris (AFP)

Emmanuel Macron condemned on Monday evening "the nihilism of the violence" of those who according to him "perverted" the movement of "yellow vests", as well as "the voices which are silent and become accomplices", after the violence of Saturday during the first anniversary of the movement.

"When hatred falls and in the name of ideals destruction is played in the street, too many voices are silent and then become accomplices, too many voices let confuse ideals with the nihilism of violence," he said, without more precision, during a presentation of decoration to former communist leader Robert Hue.

He, however, praised the "fraternity on the roundabouts" at the beginning of the movement, this time decorating the president of the Association of rural mayors of France, Vanik Berbérian.

Evoking "anger draped in the yellow of distress", he greeted a friend who knew how to perceive "the French aspiration of our fellow citizens to the community" in "this spontaneous movement".

"Beyond the claims where we must provide answers, the French out of their homes, meeting on the roundabouts, have found in many places the warmth of bonds, brotherhood, mutual aid". Even if "none have perverted that and are looking for anomie, violence," said the head of state to Vanik Berberian.

On Sunday, government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye lamented that the movement of "yellow vests" for several months "gangrené by ultras" of the extreme left.

The number 2 of France Insubord Adrien Quatennens lamented "a disorder if not organized, at least maintained" by the government that led, according to him, the violence Saturday in Paris.

Vice-President of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, denounced a government that "let far-left militias rot the movement of + yellow vests", calling for their "dissolution".

Before opening Tuesday the Congress of Mayors of France, Emmanuel Macron decorated Monday night four politicians from all sides who supported him, with common point their mayor mandate from 19 to 32 years: the communist Robert Hue, the centrist Jean Arthuis and Vanik Berberian and former Socialist Dominique Baert.

It is to Robert Hue that he has reserved his most vibrant homage, evoking with transport a French communism cradled by Jean Ferrat and Aragon without yielding to the "Soviet mirage".

"We lack leaders like you today," he told him, congratulating him for "leading all the struggles by pegging to the body what the Republic implies, the fight against hate, the refusal violence".

"You realized earlier than most of us that the party ring (...) was running empty." "In 2014, in your book, you said + the parties will die and he does not know it +," said the head of state.

In 2002, you saw those who "in the popular electorate turned away from communism to give their voice to the national font, to vote for a far-right negationist candidate, and you denounced it", he says.

"This renewed your determination (...) to overcome the divisions to stand up to my side during the 2017 campaign," he added.

He also thanked Jean Arthuis, former senator and former MEP, who was one of the first French politicians to support him, saying he owes a lot to his "ability to take risks".

For the record, Jean Arthuis invited to the reception the composer-singer Laurent Voulzy of which he was ... the accountant.

© 2019 AFP