Macron rejects Interior Minister's resignation after French riots

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 11:01 · Archive

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered to resign following weekend rioting and looting across major cities, but President Macron asked him to stay.

France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation on Monday following weekend rioting and looting in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected it, saying continued police command was essential in the current situation.

On Sunday evening, groups set fires to bins and bicycles in streets and looted businesses, a day after major violence erupted during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions. At least 2,400 people were arrested across the country. Authorities said groups of hundreds sought confrontations with police and targeted public buildings including city halls.

Macron instructed Nuñez to ensure 'full transparency about the failures in planning and intelligence-gathering that led to the violence' and to introduce 'new policing tactics on the ground as quickly as possible'. Nuñez said he submitted his resignation 'because I am responsible for everything that is happening' and acknowledged that police strategy needs adapting 'in the face of extremely mobile groups'. He blamed the violence on 'hordes of troublemakers and looters' and 'far-left activists'.

How it is being reported

• Macron rejects interior minister’s resignation as rioting and looting expose policing failuresFrench Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation over the weekend's rioting and looting in major cities, but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay.News4Jax · 19 Oct, 10:40
• Macron rejects interior minister’s resignation as rioting and looting expose policing failuresFrench Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation over the weekend's rioting and looting in major cities, but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay.Clickorlando · 19 Oct, 10:40

In this story: Emmanuel Macron · Laurent Nuñez · France · Paris · Lyon · Marseille

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