After protest unrest, France’s Emmanuel Macron slams failures in intelligence as nearly 2,400 are arrested

Macron rejects minister’s resignation

The Elysee Palace said Monday that Macron had criticized French authorities’ preparation and intelligence after violence during nationwide protests. The demonstrations on Saturday were called over rising living costs and high fuel prices.

Nunez had offered to resign, saying he felt responsible for what happened. Macron refused, citing the need for continued leadership of law enforcement, according to the presidential palace.

The president told Nunez to ensure transparency about planning and intelligence failures and to establish new operational methods for security forces. The instructions also covered responding to violent looting.

Violence and arrests reported

The Interior Ministry reported Sunday that nearly 2,400 people had been arrested and almost 1,000 police officers and gendarmes injured. The article described the unrest as among the worst urban violence France had experienced in years.

On Monday, Nunez said police across the country had lost control of the situation. Mostly masked, mostly male youths clashed with police, looted shops and set fire to public and private property, including Limoges city hall.

Political pressure grows

Opposition politicians have called for Nunez to be removed, putting pressure on Macron and his government after the rallies turned violent. Nunez agreed with Macron’s assessment of a lack of anticipation. The article spells the minister’s name once as “Nunuz,” while otherwise identifying him as Laurent Nunez.