Lucrezia Ciotti France is reeling from the aftermath of violent protests against rising costs, including looting, damaged buildings, and hundreds of injured police officers. Following President Emmanuel Macron's condemnation , Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened a crisis meeting to address the emergency, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez remained in his post after the Elysée Palace refused to resign.
Emmanuel Macron condemns looting and demands answers on high living costs
France is experiencing a period of intense tension following the clashes that erupted during the nationwide demonstration on Saturday, October 17, against the high cost of living. In his address to the nation, President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the devastation, distinguishing the reasons for the protests from the criminal acts committed during the demonstrations.
" We all feel anger and shame this evening ," he declared, describing the situation on the roads and damaged businesses as " unbearable ." The head of state promised that those responsible will be held accountable: " Those who destroyed must pay, those who looted must compensate ."
Macron attributed the violence to groups he described as belonging to the far left, supported by numerous criminals, denouncing attacks on shops, town halls and other public buildings.
Among the episodes cited is the burning of the town hall of Limoges.
The Interior Ministry's report states that 997 members of the security forces were injured , seven of them seriously, and 2.397 were arrested . A total of 550 people are believed to have taken part in the demonstrations, 110 of them in Paris. The president acknowledged, however, the legitimacy of the concerns expressed by citizens, particularly regarding the rising cost of living and fuel. " Several hundred thousand of our fellow citizens demonstrated with legitimate demands ," he noted, linking some of the price increases to the consequences of the war in the Persian Gulf. " France did not take part in them, but we are suffering the consequences ," he added, assuring that the initiatives taken to guarantee energy supplies must translate into concrete benefits on prices.
France's Interior Minister resigns after clashes; Macron rejects request
To address the emergency, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will chair a new inter-ministerial crisis meeting , scheduled for 10:00 this morning. The meeting will cover three priority areas: economy and trade, insurance, and legal proceedings. The goal is to assess the damage caused by the unrest, identify the most urgent interventions, and define the measures needed to restore security. Macron also called for the involvement of political parties, trade unions, student organizations, local administrators, and parliamentarians in the coming days. The president intends to open a discussion on the causes of discontent, with particular attention to the difficulties faced by young people and demands related to purchasing power. " We cannot ask our young people to believe in the future without giving them the opportunity to help develop solutions and sit at the table ," he stated. At the same time, he warned that dialogue does not preclude rigorous action: " We will be uncompromising; listening and dialogue do not mean weakness ." Among the possibilities indicated are also bans on certain events, if the authorities deem them necessary.
Meanwhile, on the institutional front, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez submitted his resignation to Macron, who decided to reject it . Confirmation came from the Elysée Palace on the morning of Monday, October 19. The president's decision is linked to the need to ensure continuity in the management of law enforcement during a particularly delicate period.
The minister's position has been called into question following criticism of the preparedness of the security forces and their ability to predict the scale of the violence. Macron called for full clarification of any responsibilities, citing the " lack of foresight and intelligence " that emerged during the clashes. The head of state reiterated that the defense of the republican order must proceed alongside the search for solutions to social hardship, without equating peaceful protesters with those who destroy and loot. The government's challenge now will be twofold: restoring security in the affected cities and regaining the trust of a segment of the population demanding concrete action to combat the high cost of living and protect the future of future generations.