PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s offer to resign following violent protests across the country.
The presidential office said Macron has instructed Nuñez to remain in office to ensure continuity of command within the police and security forces.
The presidential office said on Monday that Macron had also directed the interior minister to develop new procedures as soon as possible to deal with looters.
Recent protests in France have been fuelled by public anger over inflation, the rising cost of living, deteriorating public services and problems facing educational institutions.
On Saturday, demonstrations turned violent in several parts of the country. Protesters set fire to a town hall, looted shops and sprayed slogans and graffiti on buildings. Clashes also erupted between police and violent groups in several locations.
Tensions continued on Sunday in Paris and Marseille, where police intervened to prevent attempts to loot commercial establishments.
Macron’s decision to reject the interior minister’s resignation offer comes as the government faces mounting pressure to restore public order and address the underlying grievances that have fuelled the protests.
The government is under pressure to contain the unrest while responding to public concerns over economic difficulties and the deteriorating quality of public services.
By retaining Nuñez in his position, Macron has signalled his intention to maintain leadership continuity within the country’s security apparatus as authorities work to manage the situation.
The coming days are expected to test the government’s ability to prevent further violence, protect public and private property, and respond to the concerns raised by demonstrators.
The protests have highlighted the growing challenges facing the French government as it seeks to balance law enforcement measures with demands for improvements in living standards and public services.