Macron Rejects Interior Minister’s Resignation Following French Riots

PARIS, Oct 19 (OPA) — President Emmanuel Macron rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s offer to resign on Monday, opting to maintain continuity within the security apparatus. The decision follows intense rioting on October 17 that resulted in significant property damage and the looting of businesses across several major French cities.

In an official statement, the Élysée Palace confirmed the rejection, citing the necessity for consistent command of security forces during the current unrest. Macron acknowledged specific failures in intelligence-gathering and anticipation that left authorities unprepared for the scale of the violence. The president has directed Nuñez to implement new operational methods on the ground immediately to counter rioters.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to lead an interministerial crisis meeting at 10:00 CEST to address the security lapses. The government faces mounting pressure to restore order after the weekend destruction, which saw businesses targeted in multiple urban centers.

Despite the domestic crisis, Macron is proceeding with a scheduled diplomatic tour of the Gulf states. The president departed Monday for visits to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. The mission aims to secure energy supplies and mitigate rising fuel costs, a priority that remains unchanged despite the ongoing security challenges at home.