Nuñez backs the security forces and blames ultra-left individuals for the first attacks
Laurent NuñezFrench Minister of the Interior, in a post on his X account
The day after the protests, Nuñez thanked and gave his full support to the police, gendarmes and firefighters, and said the first attacks were committed by several thousand ultra-left individuals.
“I warmly thank and give my full support to the police officers, gendarmes and firefighters who, all over France, intervened in extreme conditions. From midday, and in Marseille from the morning, abuses were committed by several thousand ultra-left individuals determined to attack our public buildings and to confront our security forces. (Translated from French. Original: je remercie vivement et j'apporte mon total soutien aux policiers, aux gendarmes et aux sapeurs pompiers qui, partout en France, sont intervenus dans des conditions extrêmes. Dès la mi-journée, à Marseille dès le matin, des exactions étaient commises par plusieurs milliers d'individus d'ultra gauche décidés à s'en prendre à nos bâtiments publics et à prendre à partie nos forces de l'ordre.)”
Original post
Where this statement fits
Macron refuses Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's resignation after riots and looting during France's October 17 protests
A national day of protest against the cost of living on October 17, 2026 was accompanied by violence and looting in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other French cities. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the first attacks were carried out by several thousand ultra-left individuals who were later joined by looters, reported more than 2,000 arrests and more than 600 injured police officers, gendarmes and firefighters, and gave his full support to the security forces. Politicians from La France insoumise, the Greens and the Rassemblement national called for him to resign, some faulting the government's preparation and policing doctrine and others its failure to contain the violence. In Marseille, where protesters briefly forced their way into city hall, Mayor Benoît Payan said he had to telephone the president, the prime minister and the interior minister to ask for reinforcements. Nuñez offered his resignation on October 18. The Elysee said President Emmanuel Macron kept him in office, citing the need for continuous command of the security forces, and Macron asked him to deploy a new policing doctrine against rioters.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
France's interior minister posted this statement on X on the morning after the October 17, 2026 day of protests against the cost of living.
Before the quotation
Nuñez's post begins by saying that protesting is a fundamental right but that sowing disorder through violence is not, and that nothing can justify attacking the security forces, institutions and public buildings or looting shops.
After the quotation
He adds that the ultra-left individuals were later joined by criminals who looted shops in several cities, reports more than 2,000 arrests and more than 600 injured police officers, gendarmes and firefighters, and says the Republic will not give in to those who want to impose disorder.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's preparation and policing of the October 17, 2026 protests in France. Nuñez gives his full support to the forces that policed the day, says they acted in extreme conditions, and places responsibility for the first attacks on ultra-left individuals. That is a defense of how the day was policed, so we labeled it as defending.
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More from this case
Read the full caseCoquerel calls Nuñez's handling of public order disastrous and says he must go
“To the incompetence, the lack of foresight and a disastrous handling of public order, which had the effect of breaking up the central march into several processions around Republique, the minister therefore adds manipulation. If we want to hope that the next protests go as well as possible, yes, the precondition is his departure and a change of doctrine. (Translated from French. Original: A l'incompétence, l'imprévoyance et une gestion calamiteuse du maintien de l'ordre qui a eu pour effet d'éclater la manifestation centrale en plusieurs cortèges autour de République, le ministre rajoute donc la manipulation. Si on veut espérer que les prochaines manifestations se déroulent le mieux possibles, oui le préalable est son départ et un changement de doctrine.)”Read statement
Aubry says Nuñez's resignation offer acknowledges a policing fiasco
“By offering his resignation, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledges his failure in the policing fiasco of #17Octobre. Emmanuel Macron's answer? Keep him in his post! (Translated from French. Original: En proposant sa démission, le ministre de l'intérieur Laurent Nuñez reconnaît son échec dans le fiasco du maintien de l'ordre du #17Octobre. La réponse d'Emmanuel Macron ? Le maintenir à son poste !)”Read statement
Lavalette calls Nuñez incompetent
“So it is this incompetent Nuñez who is supposed to run the organization of the presidential election? (Translated from French. Original: Et donc c'est cet incapable de Nuñez qui est censé gérer l'organisation de l'élection présidentielle ?)”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Nuñez backs the security forces and blames ultra-left individuals for the first attacks". First published: 2026-10-21. Last updated: 2026-10-21. https://disputeindex.com/events/6394-the-day-after-the-protests-nu%C3%B1ez-thanked-and