France's beleaguered administration seeks curfews

Martin Mederyd Hårdh/TT

 

Published 08:29 | Updated 13:28

          

         Laurent Nuñez (left) and Sébastien Lecornu speak following a crisis meeting on Monday. Photo:                 Julien de Rosa, pool via AP/TT

France's Interior Minister says he offered his resignation following the unrest that spiraled out of control over the weekend—but President Macron, himself under intense pressure, has refused to accept it.

The government points to far-left agitators and has requested the implementation of curfews in areas where the turmoil has been most severe.

The Élysée Palace has announced that the resignation offer from Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has been rejected, citing the need for steady leadership during the current situation.

Authorities acknowledge that there were failures during the weekend's escalation of violence. The police lost control in several cities, Nuñez stated in an interview with France Inter:

"I accept my share of the responsibility. But one must not forget the looters, the vandals, and the violent far-left."

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has instructed prefects in the country's departments to impose targeted curfews in affected cities. He, too, asserts that the chaos was, to a large extent, "orchestrated by the far-left and criminals."

"We have nothing to hide. Law enforcement has done a good job," Lecornu said at a press conference on Monday.

Louvre blocked

Protests have continued to some extent. On Monday, protesters set up camp around the Louvre, preventing the world-famous museum from opening. In Marseille, public gatherings have been banned during the day.

Last Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across France, expressing discontent over the high cost of living, underfunded schools, and the incumbent government. In many places, the situation descended into violent clashes, widespread property damage, and the looting of shops.

Thousands of individuals were taken into custody by law enforcement, who in turn face accusations of using excessive force.

"There is no excuse for resorting to violence," declared President Emmanuel Macron in a televised address to the nation on Sunday evening:

"The legal response must be exemplary. Those who have caused destruction must pay. Those who have been looted must be compensated."

Mutual accusations

While Macron expressed some understanding regarding the dissatisfaction with his education policies, he attributed high fuel prices to the U.S.-led war in the Middle East—"a war in which France has not participated."

Regarding the violence, a political blame game is underway.

"Thanks, Mélenchon," wrote the President's party, Renaissance, on social media. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the outspoken leader of the far-left and a former presidential candidate, is being accused of fueling the violence. Throughout the protests of the last few weeks, he has firmly sided with the demonstrators.

Mélenchon's left-wing party, LFI, places the blame on the government's inadequate crisis management. Opposition leaders on both sides of Emmanuel Macron's centrist government accuse the president of delivering a televised address without actually saying or promising anything.

The Yellow Vest protest movement has called for new protests this coming weekend.