Macron Orders Security Review After Violent Protests Across France

French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered a review of security operations after nationwide protests over the cost of living escalated into widespread violence, looting and arson over the weekend.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez admitted on Monday that police had lost control in some cities and acknowledged shortcomings in the deployment of security personnel. Macron rejected Nunez’s resignation, citing the need for continued leadership of law enforcement.

Thousands Arrested as Violence Spreads

About 500,000 people reportedly participated in Saturday’s demonstrations across France. The protests were marred by clashes, with shops and public buildings looted or set ablaze.

Authorities reported more than 2,330 arrests nationwide over the weekend, while nearly 1,000 security personnel were injured. Protesters also sustained injuries, including one demonstrator who reportedly lost a hand after a police crowd-control grenade exploded.

Nunez said approximately 60,000 law enforcement personnel had been deployed across the country on Saturday but admitted that officials had failed to anticipate the scale of the unrest.

Macron Demands Accountability

After Nunez offered his resignation, the presidency confirmed that Macron had declined it and directed the minister to ensure transparency over planning and intelligence failures that contributed to the violence.

Macron also ordered the introduction of new operational measures to help security forces confront rioters and prevent further looting. In a national address on Sunday, he condemned the violence and said local authorities could prohibit certain rallies if necessary.

However, the president stopped short of declaring a state of emergency or imposing a curfew.

Businesses Count the Cost

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said around 30 shops were targeted in the capital on Sunday, describing the scenes as unbearable. Police arrested hundreds of people in Paris during the day and overnight.

Alain Di Crescenzo, president of France’s chamber of commerce, estimated that more than 2,000 shops could have been affected nationwide, with damage potentially running into hundreds of millions of euros.

The demonstrations followed four weeks of high school student protests that had also occasionally turned violent, raising further concerns about public safety and the economic impact of the unrest.

Channels Television, AFP