According to Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, the serious riots in France have revealed weaknesses in the security apparatus. The security authorities took very good action against threats from terrorists and organized crime, but not against left-wing extremist demonstrators, Darmanin told the TV channel France 2. "Obviously they are not taking effective action against the extreme left," explained Darmanin.
At the weekend, especially on Saturday, the protests against the high cost of living and poor education in the country continued to escalate. The Interior Ministry primarily blames the ultra-left scene for this.
Another 350 arrests
According to the Ministry of Justice, 2,331 people were taken into police custody nationwide over the weekend. In Paris alone, a further 350 people were arrested on Sunday and Monday night, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced. More than 80 percent of them are being prosecuted. Several dozen suspects have already been taken into custody.
Among other things, shops were looted, buildings and vehicles went up in flames and demonstrators fought street battles with the police. This had, among other things, used tear gas. According to the Interior Ministry, 997 police and other security forces were injured over the weekend, seven of them seriously. There were also numerous injuries among the demonstrators. In Paris, a protester suffered cardiac arrest and died.
Macron rejects Nuñez's offer to resign
In response to what happened over the weekend, Interior Minister Nuñez offered his resignation. However, President Emmanuel Macron rejected the offer, citing the need to maintain the chain of command within the police and security forces.
Nuñez had previously admitted mistakes. "Given the damage, it is normal that I submit my resignation," he said on France Inter radio this morning. The security authorities underestimated the number of participants in the protests. In some cities the police have lost control.
The authorities had expected around 200,000 participants nationwide on Saturday - in the end there were significantly more. “There was of course an imbalance” between law enforcement and the people on the streets, as well as “a loss of control” in some major cities, Nuñez said. “Everything will be done to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again.”
Braun-Pivet for committee of inquiry
Macron now instructed Nuñez to develop new concepts for dealing with looters as quickly as possible. Parliament President Yaël Braun-Pivet suggested setting up a committee of inquiry to look into the looting, but also the police's operational strategies.
Authorities in the country's second largest city, Marseille, responded today with a ban on gatherings. This should apply from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in order to prevent further riots.
In a televised address to the population on Sunday evening, President Macron had already announced that he would examine bans on gatherings in consultation with the local authorities.
The Foreign Office advises caution
Due to the tense situation in the neighboring country, the Federal Foreign Office advises travelers to France to exercise caution. “Behave carefully and avoid demonstrations if possible,” says the travel advice on the ministry’s website.
Further protests and riots in the coming days cannot be ruled out. Travelers should follow instructions from French security forces.
