France Protests: Macron Slams Security ‘Failures’ but Rejects Interior Minister’s Resignation

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday blamed security “failures” for the violence that marked nationwide protests, but refused the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, France 24 reported. At least 2,400 people have been arrested after the unrest, which saw town halls set on fire and hundreds of businesses looted or damaged.

The Elysée said Nuñez submitted his resignation on Sunday. “Given the necessity for continued leadership of law enforcement at this time, the president refused,” it said. Macron has asked him to ensure transparency over the “failures in planning and intelligence” that led to the violence, and to put in place new operational methods for security forces.

The protests followed calls from labour unions, student organisations and activists seeking to revive the “yellow vest” movement, which emerged in 2018 over social injustice. Authorities estimated that Saturday’s largely peaceful marches drew around 550,000 people, while organisers put the turnout at 800,000.

On Sunday, Macron voiced public anger and shame over the rioting and looting. “Nothing justifies it. Nothing explains it. Nothing excuses it,” he said. He blamed much of the violence on far-left activists, accusing them of attacking police and public buildings to foment chaos.

In Lyon, demonstrators set fire to a tourist information centre. In Marseille and Lille, they forced their way into town halls, and shops were looted, particularly in Marseille.

THE ECONOMIC ANSWER

Macron said the protesters’ concern about the cost of living and fuel prices stems from “the conflict in the Persian Gulf in which France took no part, but whose consequences we bear.” He said the worry was shared in several other European capitals. He said he had taken international initiatives to secure fuel and gas supplies and would travel to Gulf states to pursue them, while the government works with fuel distributors to ensure the measures translate into relief for consumers.

He also acknowledged the worries of high school and university students over their living conditions and future prospects, and announced a structured dialogue with young people. “I understand our high school and university students,” he said. “Their voices must be heard.”

HELP FOR BUSINESSES, ‘EXEMPLARY’ JUSTICE

To support affected businesses, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will chair a crisis unit to speed up assistance. Regional prefects will coordinate with local mayors on protective measures, including restrictions on gatherings where necessary.

The Justice Minister has instructed prosecutors to pursue cases with the “greatest firmness.”

“Those who destroyed must pay, those who looted must reimburse, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will have to answer for it,” Macron said.

He stressed, however, that peaceful marchers should never be “confused” with those who smashed and looted. And he warned against political groups exploiting street protests ahead of the presidential election in six months. “Yes to dialogue, yes to concrete short-term responses, but no, always no, to violence of any kind,” he said.

With inputs from ANI