French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez following serious violence in several major French cities on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as the government faces questions over security preparations and its response to the unrest.
In a statement issued on Monday morning, October 19, the Élysée Palace said Macron had refused to accept Nuñez’s resignation because of the need to maintain continuous leadership of the security forces during the current situation.
The president has instead instructed Nuñez to introduce “new methods of action on the ground as quickly as possible” to tackle violent rioters, according to the presidency.
The decision comes after unrest that resulted in destruction and the looting of numerous businesses. Macron also acknowledged failures in anticipation and intelligence-gathering, raising questions about whether authorities had adequately prepared for the violence.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was scheduled to chair an interministerial crisis meeting from 10:00 CEST on Monday to assess the situation and coordinate the government’s response. The meeting follows the president’s call for a review of the failures that allowed the violence to spread.
The unrest took place alongside demonstrations on October 17 linked to public anger over the rising cost of living and concerns about conditions in schools. What began as protests escalated into violence, with businesses looted and property damaged in several cities.
Macron addressed the violence on Sunday evening, condemning the destruction while distinguishing those responsible for the unrest from demonstrators with legitimate grievances. His government now faces pressure to explain how security preparations fell short and what changes will be made to prevent further incidents.
Despite the domestic crisis, Macron is continuing his diplomatic tour of the Gulf, beginning on Monday with visits to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. The trip is intended to help secure oil and diesel supplies and ease fuel prices.
Nuñez will remain in office as the government works to restore order and address the security failures identified by the president. Macron’s decision keeps the interior minister in charge of the response while placing immediate pressure on him to improve operations against violent rioters.
