All articles tagged with #laurent nunez
Violent protests in France have escalated, resulting in the destruction of historic landmarks and the resignation offer of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has authorized local mayors to impose partial curfews to restore order, as thousands of arrests are reported following a weekend of widespread looting and arson.
French President Emmanuel Macron has refused the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, citing the need for stable command of security forces following violent riots on October 17. Macron acknowledged failures in intelligence and anticipation but ordered new methods to combat violent rioters. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is convening an interministerial crisis unit, while Macron continues a diplomatic tour of Gulf states to secure energy supplies.
On October 17, 2026, over 550,000 people protested across France, marking the largest turnout since the unrest began a month ago. While many marches remained peaceful, rioters in cities like Paris, Marseille, and Limoges looted shops and set fire to historic buildings, including the Limoges Town Hall. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence, while interior minister Laurent Nunez blamed far-left groups for the chaos.
Over 440 people, mostly minors, were detained on Tuesday as student protests in France escalated into violent clashes across 400 schools. The unrest, sparked by overcrowded classes and teacher shortages, coincided with nationwide union strikes against the government’s budget. While the interior minister defended police tactics as proportionate, student unions and left-wing politicians condemned the response as excessive repression.