Macron rejects interior minister’s resignation after nationwide unrest

French President Emmanuel Macron rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nunez’s resignation on Monday after weekend demonstrations over living costs and declining public services descended into widespread rioting and looting.

The Elysee Palace said Macron wanted continuity in the command of security forces but criticized “failures in anticipation and intelligence” that contributed to the unrest. Nunez, who acknowledged that police lost control in some cities and that security deployments had been insufficiently anticipated, had offered to step down amid criticism of the authorities’ response.

Nationwide demonstrations on Saturday included peaceful protesters, but violence broke out in cities across France. A town hall in Limoges was set ablaze, shops were looted and damaged, and groups clashed with police. Further incidents were reported Sunday in Paris, Lyon and Marseille.

Nearly 2,400 people were arrested and almost 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured, according to official figures cited by Deutsche Welle and The Express Tribune. One protester died after suffering cardiac arrest during demonstrations in Paris. The Federation of Commerce and Distribution said about 1,500 businesses were targeted, with losses estimated at several hundred million euros.

In a televised address Sunday, Macron recognized the grievances of peaceful demonstrators but condemned the destruction, saying that “nothing justifies it, nothing explains it, nothing excuses it.” The government blamed hard-left groups and criminals for much of the violence and looting. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was due to lead a crisis meeting Monday on damage, insurance and legal proceedings.