Quick Answer
French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s offer to resign over the weekend’s riots and looting, ordering him instead to fix the policing failures that let violence spread. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked cities to impose limited, localized curfews after more than 2,400 people were arrested nationwide.
Key Takeaways
- Macron rejected Nuñez’s resignation on Monday, citing the need for continued command of law enforcement, per the Élysée’s statement.
- Nuñez admitted police “lost control” in some cities and a “lack of anticipation” in deploying the 60,000 officers on duty Saturday.
- PM Lecornu asked prefects to impose “very limited” localized curfews to prevent further rioting and looting.
- More than 2,400 people were arrested over the weekend; nearly 1,000 police and gendarmes were injured, and an estimated 2,000 shops were hit.
PARIS — France’s government scrambled to contain the fallout from its worst weekend of unrest in years on Monday, as President Emmanuel Macron refused the resignation of his interior minister and the prime minister moved toward partial curfews in cities hit by rioting and looting.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez submitted his resignation to Macron over the weekend’s violence, but the president asked him to stay, Macron’s office said Monday. The office said Macron rejected the offer “given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context,” according to reporting by the Associated Press.
Instead, Macron ordered Nuñez “to take all necessary steps to ensure full transparency about the failures in planning and intelligence-gathering that led to the violence,” and to introduce new policing tactics on the ground as quickly as possible.
What Happened in France Today: The Latest Update
Speaking on France Inter radio Monday, Nuñez said he had offered to quit because, in his words, “I submitted my resignation because I am responsible for everything that is happening.” He acknowledged a “lack of anticipation” in the security deployment on Saturday and conceded that officers had lost control in several cities.
“On Saturday, in some major cities, you couldn’t look shopkeepers in the eye after hundreds of shops had been looted and tell them we hadn’t lost control,” Nuñez said, as reported by Dawn. He estimated that some 60,000 law enforcement personnel had been deployed across the country on Saturday.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, speaking after an emergency meeting with top officials, said he had instructed prefects to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews in cities to prevent more rioting and looting, the AP reported. Lecornu noted that “on Saturday, despite scenes of severe violence and extensive property damage, no one was killed, and that is a miracle,” while defending officers who faced violent groups.
France Curfew Plan Explained
Lecornu asked regional authorities to consider curfews on Monday evening, with prefects consulting mayors and local business representatives before introducing restrictions, according to reports. The proposed curfews could cover specific urban areas, including public transport hubs and prominent public locations.
The prime minister blamed what he described as ultra-left groups and criminal elements for the violence and promised a large-scale investigation and legal action against those arrested. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 70 percent of those taken into custody over the weekend were adults, many already known to authorities.
The Scale of the Weekend Violence
What began as weekend cost-of-living protests — drawing some half a million demonstrators on Saturday against rising living costs and deteriorating school conditions — morphed into some of the worst violence France has seen in years. Shops were looted and set ablaze in Paris, Lyon and Marseille, with the violent night in Paris that left over a thousand arrested turning parts of the capital into what officials called devastated streets.
The numbers, as reported Monday: more than 2,400 people arrested nationwide (AP); about 350 arrested in Paris on Sunday and overnight, per Nuñez; nearly 1,000 police and gendarmes injured, per the interior ministry; and an estimated 2,000 shops affected across France, with damage running into “hundreds of millions of euros,” according to chamber of commerce president Alain Di Crescenzo, as reported by Dawn. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said around 30 shops were targeted in the capital on Sunday alone.
Macron addressed the nation on Sunday evening, slamming the “unbridled” violence and saying local authorities would be able to ban some rallies — while stopping short of the more drastic measures now being weighed.
FAQs
Did Macron accept Laurent Nuñez’s resignation?
No. President Emmanuel Macron rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s resignation on Monday, October 19, 2026, saying continued command of law enforcement was needed during the crisis. Instead, Macron ordered Nuñez to ensure full transparency over the planning and intelligence failures that led to the weekend violence.
What happened in France today?
Macron rejected Nuñez’s resignation, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked prefects to impose limited localized curfews, and officials continued counting the damage from the weekend: more than 2,400 arrests nationwide, nearly 1,000 injured police and gendarmes, and an estimated 2,000 shops looted or damaged.
France curfew latest update: which cities will get curfews?
Prime Minister Lecornu asked prefects in cities affected by the weekend’s rioting and looting to impose “very limited” and “localized” curfews. Prefects will consult mayors and local business representatives before introducing restrictions, which could cover specific urban areas, transport hubs and prominent public locations.
Why did Laurent Nuñez offer to resign?
Nuñez said he offered his resignation because, as interior minister, he felt responsible for the policing response. He acknowledged a “lack of anticipation” in deploying security forces on Saturday and admitted police “lost control” in several cities as rioters and looters overwhelmed the 60,000 officers deployed.
How many people were arrested in the France riots?
More than 2,400 people were arrested nationwide over the weekend, according to the Associated Press. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said about 2,330 were taken into custody, with 70 percent adults. Nuñez said around 350 people were arrested in Paris on Sunday and overnight.
Sources: Associated Press (via Reflector), Dawn, NDTV, The Times of India, Reuters, Euronews, Financial Times. Event developments of October 19, 2026; details still developing.
