Laurent Nunez, the Interior Minister of France, submitted his resignation to Emmanuel Macron, the President of the country, on Sunday, October 18. However, Macron rejected this resignation, stressing the "necessity of continuity in managing security forces." This decision came after severe violence and widespread unrest in several cities in France.
Macron's Criticism of Police Performance
Macron also criticized the "shortcomings" in the planning of police operations and intelligence gathering prior to the violence. He urged the Interior Minister to quickly develop new strategies "to combat looters" and new operational plans for security forces. The President of France also called for complete transparency in investigating and clarifying the dimensions of these shortcomings.
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In an interview with the radio network "France Inter," Laurent Nunez acknowledged these shortcomings, admitting that there was "insufficient foresight" in mobilizing law enforcement. He said, "I submitted my resignation because I take responsibility for everything that happened." Nunez also accepted that the police had lost control in some cities.
Violence and Nationwide Protests
Emmanuel Macron condemned the recent violence in a televised speech on Sunday evening, calling it "uncontrolled." He stated, "We all feel anger and shame tonight." The President emphasized that those responsible for these actions will face the full force of the law and called for a distinction between protesters with legitimate demands and those engaging in destruction and looting.
Marine Le Pen, the far-right politician and presidential candidate in France, also urged people to remain calm and emphasized that "violence is not an opinion and destruction is not a form of expression." The protests began in September, focusing on the shortage of teachers in schools in underprivileged areas, and gradually expanded to issues of social inequality and high living costs.
During the nationwide protests, especially on Saturday, several cities in France witnessed clashes between protesters and police. In these clashes, several stores were looted, and buildings and vehicles were set on fire. According to statistics from the French Ministry of the Interior, about 2,400 people have been arrested, and nearly a thousand police and other emergency and law enforcement personnel have been injured.
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