# France's government under pressure after weekend of violence

> Over half a million protesters demonstrated against living costs on Saturday, but the day descended into looting and rioting that left police and the government facing fierce criticism.
- Title: France's government under pressure after weekend of violence
- Summary: Over half a million protesters demonstrated against living costs on Saturday, but the day descended into looting and rioting that left police and the…
- Keywords: france, emmanuel macron, laurent nuñez, paris, protests, looting, police violence, living costs, public services, french politics, presidential election, news
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crwyd02yz22vo
- Published: 2026-10-19T04:16:46.383+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: france, emmanuel macron, laurent nuñez, paris, protests, looting, police violence, living costs, public services, french politics, presidential election, news
## Half a million protest, then violence erupts
Over half a million mainly peaceful protesters demonstrated on Saturday against rising living costs and dwindling access to decent public services, including state education.
## Estimated fifteen hundred shops looted and destroyed
An estimated one thousand five hundred shops and businesses were looted and destroyed. Riot police fired tear gas and turned water cannon on crowds. They were seen hitting people with batons in several places.
## One thousand police officers injured in Saturday violence
France's interior ministry said about one thousand police officers were injured on Saturday, seven of them seriously.
## Interior Minister offers resignation, Macron refuses
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez tried to hand in his resignation on Monday morning. But President Emmanuel Macron asked him instead to examine how to make France's streets safer and to bring the perpetrators of the…
## Macron's speech criticised for lacking detail
President Emmanuel Macron used a televised address to the nation on Sunday to call for national unity and assure the French public that perpetrators would be punished.
## Union leader accuses Macron of ignoring root causes
Secretary General of the CGT union Sophie Binet accused Macron of failing to address students' concerns, the cost of living crisis or the dwindling quality of public services in France.
## Political divisions deepen amid presidential race
Macron is widely viewed in France as a lame duck president on his way out.A hotly contested race is under way to become his successor, with the vote scheduled in six months' time.
## Major protests planned for November fifth
For the next two weeks, French authorities hope for respite as students start their half-term break on Monday.But on five November, a cross-section of trade unions plus France's yellow jacket movement have announced huge protests.
## Key takeaway

France's Interior Minister offered his resignation after a weekend of widespread violence and looting that saw an estimated one thousand five hundred shops destroyed, but President Macron asked him to stay and address public safety instead.