Macron refuses interior minister's resignation and demands change in methods of confronting protests

French President Emmanuel Macron refused the resignation of Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and demanded the development of new working methods for security forces to confront the wave of unrest and looting sweeping the country amid rising living costs and declining public services.

Reports indicate that French President Emmanuel Macron refused the resignation of Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, amid mounting pressure on the government due to a wave of widespread unrest in France. The unrest comes against the backdrop of public anger over rising living costs and declining public services. The Élysée Palace stated that Macron asked the interior minister to develop new working methods for internal security forces as soon as possible, aimed at confronting 'vandals' and putting an end to the looting that accompanied protests in several French cities. France experienced a wave of unrest over the weekend, as widespread demonstrations protesting economic conditions turned into clashes between protesters and police. A municipal building was set on fire, shops and public and private buildings were looted and vandalized, and graffiti spread. The clashes extended to Paris and Marseille, where riot police intervened to prevent the storming and looting of commercial establishments, using tear gas to disperse demonstrators. Large-scale cleanup operations were also launched in several cities following the damage to property. Macron had called for calm, stating that acts of violence and vandalism are unjustified, but he also stressed the need to distinguish between peaceful protesters and vandals.