Macron under pressure after France protests leave nearly 1,000 police injured

Emmanuel Macron had asked Nunez to take all necessary steps to ensure transparency over the failures in planning and intelligence that led to the violence. — AFP pic

First Published: Monday, 19 Oct 2026 3:09 PM MYT

PARIS, Oct 19 — President Emmanuel Macron, under pressure after violent protests in France, acknowledged on Monday failures in anticipation and intelligence but refused to accept the resignation of his interior minister, the presidential palace said.

Some opposition politicians had called for the sacking of Laurent Nunez after demonstrations over the cost of living descended into some of the worst urban violence in France in years.

Nearly 2,400 people were arrested on Saturday, with almost 1,000 police and gendarmes injured, according to the interior ministry, as clashes between police and protesters, mass looting and fires erupted nationwide.

The Elysee Palace said in a statement that Nunez had submitted his resignation to Macron today. 

Given the need for continued leadership of law enforcement at this time, the president refused to accept it, the statement added.

Macron had asked Nunez to take all necessary steps to ensure transparency over the failures in planning and intelligence that led to the violence, the statement said.

The president had also instructed him to introduce new operational methods for security forces to handle the crisis. — AFP