Macron Rejects Nuñez Resignation After France Unrest

French President Emmanuel Macron refused Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s resignation on Sunday, October 18, after violent unrest during nationwide demonstrations, and instructed him to address failures in security planning and intelligence gathering. The Élysée said Nuñez had offered to resign and Macron rejected the request because law-enforcement leadership needed continuity. The president asked the minister to ensure transparency about the shortcomings and to develop new operational methods for security forces. The specific findings of any review have not been reported. The unrest followed demonstrations on Saturday, October 17, over the cost of living, public services and conditions in schools. Authorities estimated that about 550,000 people joined marches, most of which were peaceful. The CGT union put attendance above 800,000. In several cities, groups clashed with police, looted shops and set fires, damaging commercial properties and public buildings. The Interior Ministry reported about 2,400 arrests and nearly 1,000 police officers injured, including seven seriously. Those figures were attributed to the ministry. The weekend’s damage included a fire that largely...