Macron rejects interior minister’s resignation over violent unrest

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez tendered his resignation amid some of the country’s most violent street unrest in recent years. President Emmanuel Macron rejected the resignation.

According to a statement from the Elysée Palace, Macron made the decision because law enforcement required uninterrupted command under current conditions. Macron instructed Nuñez to roll out new methods on the ground as quickly as possible.

The president also demanded that all necessary measures be taken to ensure transparency regarding the lapses in intelligence and foresight that led to the violence.

How many people were on the streets during Saturday’s protests?

The demonstrations were organised on 17 October over the rising cost of living and discontent with the government’s social policies. According to the Interior Ministry, approximately 550,000 people took part, while trade unions put the figure at 800,000.

Hundreds of thousands marched peacefully on Saturday. However, clashes with law enforcement broke out in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and other cities, where shops were looted and buildings set on fire.

In Marseille, protesters stormed the city hall. As they forced their way in, they shouted, “This is a revolution, we are taking the Bastille!”, and went on to loot numerous stores.

In Lyon, the office of a tourism company housed in a 19th-century building was vandalised and torched. In Limoges, a 19th-century city hall was set ablaze.

Damage incurred by French businesses is reportedly estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros.

Citing Nuñez reported approximately 1,800 detentions and more than 500 injuries among police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters. Reuters reported that Nuñez stated 2,400 people had been detained nationwide and around 1,000 security personnel injured.

During the demonstrations in Paris, one person suffered a fatal heart attack while being detained.

Macron: We feel anger and shame

In a televised address, Macron said that nothing could justify the events. “There is nothing that can justify, explain, or excuse this. Tonight, we all feel anger and shame,” he said.

In the same speech, he stressed that peaceful demonstrators had legitimate grievances and should not be equated with those resorting to violence. He also noted that the protesters’ voices must be heard and that the government had already begun efforts to address them.

Macron said that legitimate demands must not be conflated with violence, and that violence should not prevent those demands from being heard.

Right demands state of emergency, Macron holds off

Right-wing politicians demanded the declaration of a state of emergency.

Macron declined to do so, stating that the government could allow local authorities to ban protests if necessary to protect public buildings and businesses.

Marine Le Pen, who is expected to run as the candidate for the far-right National Rally in next year’s presidential election, called for restraint. Le Pen said the situation in the country must not be treated as normal.

Meanwhile, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed, stated that Macron must meet the demands of high school students staging demonstrations.

Macron’s term in office ends in 2027.

Throughout his nearly decade-long presidency, the country has frequently witnessed widespread protests, alongside persistent criticism over economic weakness and mounting public debt.