French interior minister admits police 'lost control' during riots

France's interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, conceded on Monday that police lost control in several cities during violent protests on Saturday. President Emmanuel Macron demanded a full security review and "new operational methods" to stop the rioting and looting. The unrest comes six months before a presidential election and amid growing economic pressure linked to the high cost of living.

Forecasts missed the mark

Nuñez acknowledged a lack of anticipation in preparing for the protests. Intelligence had pointed to about 200,000 demonstrators, but more than 500,000 turned out. Peaceful marches were hijacked and became one of France's most violent days of unrest in recent years. Some 60,000 police and other security personnel were deployed, which was not enough to contain organised groups of violent rioters in Paris, Marseille and Lyon.

The minister said he had offered his resignation because he felt responsible for what happened. Macron refused it and instead told him to ensure transparency over planning and intelligence failures.

Damage and arrests

Public buildings were attacked, including a town hall that was set on fire. Authorities estimate about 2,000 shops were ransacked and looted. Nearly 2,400 people were arrested, 70% of them adults, and almost 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured. Justice minister Gérald Darmanin said many of those detained had police records and about 80% were being prosecuted.

Unrest continues

Rioting and looting went on Sunday. Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said about 30 shops in the capital were targeted and a further 350 people were arrested overnight. He said the state was at fault in maintaining public order and predicted the protests would continue. Marseille mayor Benoît Payan described the situation as "almost insurrectional".

On Monday, protesters blocked the entrances to the Louvre Museum in support of the high school students' movement and against "police repression", so the museum could not open on schedule. In a televised address on Sunday, Macron said local authorities would be able to ban some demonstrations, but he did not declare a state of emergency or a curfew.