French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s request to resign following widespread unrest over the weekend, the Élysée Palace said on Monday.
The demonstrations, driven largely by young people, reflect public anger over rising living costs, declining public services and deteriorating conditions in schools.
According to the presidential office, Macron wants Nuñez to remain in his post to ensure continuity in the chain of command within the police and security forces. The president has also asked the minister to develop new approaches as quickly as possible to address looting and disorder.
Nationwide demonstrations escalated into violence on Saturday, with reports of a town hall being set on fire, shops being looted and buildings being covered in graffiti. Violent groups clashed with police in several cities.
Further confrontations erupted in Paris and Marseille on Sunday, where police intervened to prevent attempts to loot businesses.
The unrest has placed pressure on the government to respond to public frustration while managing the security situation. Macron’s decision to keep Nuñez in office signals his intention to maintain continuity within the security services as authorities seek to contain the violence.
