WITH the French government fearful of strikes that show no sign of abating, a minister has resorted to trying to to smear protesters, warning of the movement being hijacked by “seditious groups” bent on violence.

Secretary of State for Equality Marlene Schiappa made the claim following a fire at a Paris restaurant closely associated with President Emmanuel Macron.

She said Saturday’s blaze was “probably” a criminal act, though she offered no evidence to back her claim.

Speaking on French news channel BFM-TV, she said the “growing hate and violence is quite incredible.”

“Seditious groups want the law of ‘might is right’ to reign, to impose violence on all people who think differently from them,” Ms Schiappa said.

It followed a similar line to the one that the French government took to discredit the yellow vest movement, which saw the military mobilised in Paris in the face of huge anti-government protests.

Restaurant manager Gerard Tafanel claimed a yellow vest had been found at the scene of the fire.

Strikes over pension reforms have rocked France for six weeks and retain the support of the public.

Speaking at a free concert by striking musicians at the Paris Opera, violinist Emilie Belaud said of the violence: “It’s actually the price to pay for the government that doesn’t listen to its citizens.”